Background: The role of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pollen as a cause of spring pollinosis in central Europe has received little attention. It is not clear whether ash pollen is a primary cause of sensitization or whether it is implicated through cross-sensitization to other pollens.
Methods: Over a 22-month period, ash pollen was included in a screening series for inhalant allergies. Pollen data were documented from 1976 through 1999. The frequency of IgE-binding to the ash-specific allergen Fra e 1 and pollen panallergens, respectively, was compared by Western blot between mono- (n = 6), oligo- (n = 16), and polysensitized (n=25) patients.
Results: Of 5,416 consecutive patients sensitized to any pollen, 920 (17.6%) had a positive skin prick test to ash. Total pollen counts varied extensively between years (229-5,351) as did peak concentrations (23-837 grains/m3/24 h). Western blotting revealed Fra e 1 sensitization in 100% of monosensitized, 93% of oligosensitized, but only 44% of polysensitized patients. IgE against profilins (Fra e 2), Ca-binding proteins (Fra e 3), and carbohydrate epitopes in the three groups was found in 0/0/17%, 0/19/31%, and 32/72/60%, respectively. At least 50% of sera from patients with Fra e 1 sensitization did not bind with the protein in Western blots under reducing conditions.
Conclusions: Ash pollen should be considered a relevant factor and distinct entity in spring pollinosis. In all, only 20% of positive skin tests to ash appear to result from cross-sensitization to pollen panallergens.