STUDY OF POLLENS AS CAUSATIVE AGENT IN RESPIRATORY ALLERGIC DISORDERS BY INTRADERMAL SKIN TEST IN TERAI AREA

Sushil Chaturvedi* and Rachna Chaturvedi

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to assess the prevalence of airborne pollen in Terai area of eastern Uttar Pradesh (Nepal Border) and to evaluate the allergic effect of pollens in patients of respiratory allergy. Terai area has been established as very emergent to respiratory allergic disorders usually due to aeroallergens present in the environment. Pollens are common of them and considered as a potent source of aeroallergens for respiratory allergic disorders such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. The patients who have reported were having symptoms of respiratory allergy as breathlessness, runny nose, sneezing, congestion of the nose, and itchy, red and watery eyes. Ninety Six patients of respiratory allergic disorders were included for intradermal skin test with 44 common pollen allergens. The Age group of included patients was 12-48 years and male female ratio was 3 : 2.Skin sensitivity as observed in this small study was highest by Prosopis julifera (34%).It is followed by Eucalyptus (30%),Partheenium (26%),Ageratum sp.(25%),Holoptelia (22%),Ricinus (16%),Chenopodium (16%),Cassia (14%),Brassica (13%),and Amaranthus (11%). 38% pollens among 44 included in this study were not having any significant allergic effect. 24% patients out of 96 had not shown positive skin sensitivity test. The data obtained from this study will be helpful in interpreting the allergic effect of available pollens and its correlation with approximate flowering periods of plants.

Keywords: Allergy, pollens, allergens allergic rhinitis, asthma, skin Prick test,