High Levels of Allergenic Tree Pollen in Southern New Zealand

Rewi M Newnham*

Received: September 07, 2017;   Published: September 20, 2017

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000376

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Abstract

Tree Pollen are significant sources of clinically relevant outdoor aeroallergens, a major cause of allergic respiratory diseases, yet little is known about their prevalence in New Zealand. This study reports concentrations of airborne allergenic tree pollen measured in central Dunedin during October and November 1992. Four tree pollen taxa were prominent during these spring months, all from introduced species. Of these, Fraxinus (ash) and Pinus (pine) are not considered to be important aeroallergens, but Betula (birch) and Cupressus (cypress) have reported high allergenic potency in other regions. These results indicate that allergenic tree pollen of birch and cypress can reach significantly high levels in Dunedin during spring, often in association with strong northwesterly winds. It is likely that tree pollen and in particular birch and cypress are making an important contribution to the total pollen allergen load and to the increasing prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in New Zealand. More 1comprehensive and up-to-date information on allergenic pollen levels is needed to help understand the growing prevalence of respiratory disorder in New Zealand

Keywords: Tree pollen; Allergen; Allergic rhinitis; Allergic asthma; Betula

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