Park greenery represents an oasis for urban residents; however, during the flowering period of trees that produce allergenic pollen grains, these areas threaten individuals suffering from seasonal allergic respiratory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the temporal distribution of the allergenic potential of three most important urban parks in Bratislava over the vegetation period, using a modification of the Urban Green Zone Allergenicity Index (IUGZA) and Individual-Specific Allergenic Potential Index (IISA) designed as a running index - rIUGZA and rIISA. We found that rIUGZA gives better information for park management and revitalization, since it considers the potential size of woody plants, while rIISA, considering the actual size of the vegetation, provides more relevant information for pollen-allergy sufferers. Based on rIISA, the allergenic potential was highest in May for the Grassalkovich Garden (formal baroque garden) and Janko Kráľ Park (English landscape park) and in April for the Medic Garden (repurposed baroque garden). We also found differences in the duration of the period of increased allergenic potential in these parks, ranging from 1 to 3 months. Based on the total annual sums of rIISA, we found the highest allergenic potential in the Medic Garden and lowest in the Janko Kráľ Park. This variance is caused mainly by the different density of trees and percentage of allergenic species. The biggest contributors to the allergenic potential were Platanus, Acer and Tilia. Based on the information on temporal variation of the allergenic potential during the vegetation period provided by the running indices, it is possible to improve the planning of park revitalization based on the flowering period of allergenic species and provide better information to the pollen-allergy sufferers for minimizing the allergenic effect of urban green areas on their health during a particular month.

Allergy to fruits and vegetables is the most common primary food allergy in Mediterranean countries, especially the lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) syndrome. This study is the first research that studies multiple clinical, allergological and therapeutics characteristics of allergies to plants in the South-East of Spain, and assessing whether these characteristics differ in emergency room or outpatient clinic. This is a prospective study of patients who consult for the first time for allergy to vegetables at Granada, Spain. We record demographic data, symptoms, allergological study and indicated therapy. The characteristics obtained agree with the current bibliographic except the higher prevalence than other areas of positive sensitization of Pru p 3, Cor a 9 and Ara h 9, which predisposes to severe allergic reactions. We conclude: Allergy to plant food in Granada is a more severe phenotype than other geographic areas from Spain, especially in young adults sensitized by different LTPs and pollinosis to olive pollen.
La alergia a frutas y verduras es la alergia alimentaria más común en los países mediterráneos, especialmente el síndrome LTP (lipid transfer proteins). Este es el primer estudio que analiza múltiples características clínicas, alergológicas y terapéuticas de la alergia a vegetales en el sureste de España y que evalúa si difieren en urgencias o consultas externas. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo de pacientes que consultan por primera vez debido a alergia a verduras en Granada, España. Registramos datos demográficos, clínicos, alergológicos y tratamiento prescrito. Las características obtenidas concuerdan con las infomadas en la bibliografía actual, excepto en la mayor prevalencia de Pru p 3, Cor a 9 y Ara h 9, que predisponen a reacciones alérgicas graves. La conclusión es que la alergia a vegetales en Granada es un fenotipo más grave que en otras áreas de España, especialmente en adultos jóvenes sensibilizados a diferentes proteínas de transferencia de lípidos y polinosis a polen del olivo.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pollinosis has doubled in the past two decades. Several studies suggest that up to 50% of adult residents of Mexico City can present manifestations of respiratory allergy, and pollens from trees, grasses and weeds are a common cause. To determine the prevalence of their families and antigenic cross-reactivity allows us to offer appropriate diagnoses and treatments.
OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of sensitization of pollens to trees, grasses and weeds in adults with respiratory allergy of the South zone of Mexico City from January 2007 to December 2013.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational and prospective study was done with patients from Mexico City, referred to the National Medical Center Siglo XXI, IMSS, from 2007 to 2013 with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, asthma and conjunctivitis. We analyzed the results of skin prick tests to pollens from trees, grasses and weeds in selected patients. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: A total of 672 patients were analyzed, 70% men, the average age was 34 ± 16 years. Regarding occupation 31% were students, 48% employees and 21% housewives. Fifty-three percent had rhinitis, 47% had asthma and 40.5% had both, asthma and rhinitis. Prevalence of sensitization to weeds was 56%, 33% to trees and 11% to grasses.
CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to weeds is the first cause of respiratory pollinosis in the south of Mexico City, Amaranthus was the most prevalent pollen in this area. Sensitization to trees is the second cause, with a predominance of trees form Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Oleacea families. Sensitization to grass is the third cause of respiratory pollinosis. The most common are from Pooideae (Lolium perenne), Chloroideae and Cynodon/Dactylon family.
Antecedentes: la prevalencia de la polinosis se ha duplicado en las últimas dos décadas. Diversos estudios sugieren que incluso 50% de los adultos residentes del Distrito Federal pueden tener datos de alergia respiratoria y que los pólenes de árboles, pastos y malezas constituyen una causa frecuente. Conocer la prevalencia de sus familias y cruces antigénicos permite ofrecer diagnósticos y tratamientos adecuados. Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de sensibilización a pólenes de árboles, gramíneas y malezas en adultos con alergia respiratoria de la zona sur del Distrito Federal en el periodo de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2013. Material y método: estudio transversal, observacional y retrospectivo efectuado con pacientes que acudieron al servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica del Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Bernardo Sepúlveda del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI de la Ciudad de México, de 2007 a 2013, con diagnóstico de rinitis, asma y conjuntivitis alérgica. Analizamos los resultados de las pruebas cutáneas para pólenes de árboles, gramíneas y malezas de los pacientes. Los resultados se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados: se incluyeron 672 pacientes, 70% hombres, la edad promedio fue de 34 ± 16 años. En relación con su ocupación 31% eran estudiantes, 48% trabajadores y 21% amas de casa. El 53% tenía rinitis alérgica, 47% asma y 40.5% tenía ambos padecimientos. Se encontró prevalencia de sensibilización a malezas de 56%, a árboles de 33% y a gramíneas de 11%. Conclusiones: la sensibilización a malezas constituye en México la primera causa de polinosis respiratoria de la zona sur del Distrito Federal, el polen del amaranto fue el más prevalente en esta zona. La sensibilización a los árboles es la segunda causa de polinosis, con predominio de las familias Betulaceae, Fagaceae y Oleacea. La sensibilización a gramíneas constituye la tercera causa de polinosis respiratoria. Las más frecuentes son la familia Pooideae (Lolium perenne) y la familia Chloroideae (Cynodon dactylon).