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Oilseed rape—a new allergen?
Author(s) -
FELL P. J.,
SOULSBY S.,
BLIGHT M. M.,
BROSTOFF J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1992.tb00154.x
Subject(s) - pollen , allergen , allergy , brassica , sensitization , population , immunology , crop , biology , medicine , botany , environmental health , agronomy
Summary Oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ) is a commonly grown crop in Europe and it has been suggested that its pollen may be a potent new allergen. The prevalence of sensitization in a normal exposed population and an objective study of those patients found to be allergic to the rape pollen is described. The results show a low prevalence of allergy to oilseed rape pollen (less than 0.2%) unless the subjects were occupationally exposed. Those affected, with one exception, were already atopic and allergic to other pollens. The role of volatile materials given off by the plant remains to be elucidated.