[In vitro profile for allergens and their association with pollen distribution volumes in Mexico City]

Allergic sensitization (AS) assessed through in vitro methods (iv-M) has shown adequate sensitivity and diagnostic correlation. Recently, AS profiles have been compared with pollen distribution, which strengthens the clinical relevance of their results in the population where they are applied.

Describe the pattern of AS using iv-M, as well as the dispersion volume of the main pollens in Mexico City (CDMX) identified through iv-M.

Aeroallergen profiles (iv-M-EUROIMMUN/Lübeck) from 197 patients with allergic rhinitis recruited in 2022 were analyzed. Results were grouped by family and species. Similarly, the distribution of the most relevant pollens was studied retrospectively using iv-M data from 2017 to 2022 (www.rema.atmosfera.unam.mx). Frequency/SA (χ²) and median/pollen volume (Wilcoxon) analyses were performed using SPSS v.21, considering a p-value< 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Weeds and trees were the predominant groups (~65% vs. grasses at 42.5%, p<0.01). Specifically, the Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae (Ch-A) family (57.8% vs. Asteraceae at 20.8%, p<0.001) and the Oleaceae family (44.6% vs. Fabaceae/Fagaceae at ~31.9%, p<0.001) shaped the results. Among the main pollens, Salsola kali (50.7%), Atriplex hortensis (41.6%), and Fraxinus sp. (38%) stood out. This profile was not influenced by age or sex. Regarding pollen distribution, the Ch-A family showed high levels until 2021, when they began to decline (p<0.001). In contrast, Fraxinus sp. pollen showed high volumes only during specific months (p<0.001).

The identification of Ch-A is likely related to the presence of Ole-like-1 in Fraxinus, the species with the highest distribution volume. iv-M found that there was more SA in the Ch-A family and Fraxinus sp., both of which had more pollen spread in the years before the diagnostic evaluation.