Correlations between alder specific IgE and alder-related tree pollen specific IgE by RAST method

Area of Science:

• Allergen immunotherapy
• Immunological cross-reactivity

Background:

• Birch pollen is not a common aero-allergen in Japan, yet many patients test positive for birch pollen allergy.
• Cross-reactivity with related tree pollens, like alder, may explain positive birch pollen tests in non-birch-growing areas.
• Limited data exists on the correlation between alder pollen allergy and other related tree pollens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between alder pollen-specific IgE and other tree pollens in Japanese patients.
• To determine if alder pollen allergy is clinically equivalent to birch pollen allergy in Japan.

Main Methods:

• Measured alder-specific IgE (CAP-RAST) in sera previously positive for birch, beech, oak, and cedar pollen RAST.
• Analyzed correlations between alder-specific IgE and other tree pollen RAST results.

Main Results:

• A very high correlation (0.971) was observed between alder and birch pollen RAST.
• High correlations were also found between alder and beech (0.884) and oak (0.895) pollen RAST.
• Results suggest similar allergenic profiles between alder and birch, with partial differences for beech and oak.

Conclusions:

• Japanese patients exhibit comparable immune responses to alder and birch pollen in forming specific IgE antibodies.
• Positive alder pollen RAST results hold similar clinical significance to positive birch pollen RAST results in Japan.