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Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma due to Phoenix canariensis pollen allergy
Author(s) -
Blanco C.,
Carrillo T.,
Quiralte J.,
Pascual C.,
Esteban M. Martin,
Castillo R.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1995.tb01147.x
Subject(s) - asthma , allergy , medicine , pollen , phoenix , immunology , respiratory hypersensitivity , occupational asthma , aeroallergen , dermatology , allergen , biology , pathology , botany , metropolitan area
We report a case of occupational bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Phoenix canariensis (PC) pollen. The canary palm is a type of palm tree, belonging to the Arecaceae family, which is widely distributed in frost‐free regions as an ornamental tree. Our patient was referred because he suffered symptoms of bronchial asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact urticaria when pruning dried leaves from PC during the pollination months. The skin prick test (SPT) with a PC pollen extract was positive, as was the specific IgE to PC pollen determined by Phadezym RAST, indicating an IgE‐mediated sensitization. The nonspecific bronchial provocation test (BPT) performed with methacholine disclosed a mild bronchial hyperreactivity, and specific BPT with PC pollen elicited an immediate fall of 25% in FEV 1 with respect to baseline. On RAST inhibition studies, a significant cross‐reactivity was found between PC pollen and date palm ( P. dactylifera ) pollen. These results suggest that PC pollen could be a potential allergen in PC‐growing areas.