Hypersensitivity to pollen allergens on the Adriatic coast

In central south Croatia, i.e., the Adriatic coast with the city of Split at the center, year-long pollen concentrations in the air were determined for typical local plants, and the area's plant pollination calendar was established. High concentrations of Parietaria officinalis pollen dominated during the year (up to 20% from April to June). Pollens of Pistacia lentiscus, Olea europaea, Pinus halepensis, Juniperus oxycedrus, Mimosa and Cistus monspeliensis were found in lower concentrations and for shorter time periods. Using both commercially available standard inhalation allergens and specifically prepared pollen allergens, skin testing was performed and the cause of hypersensitivity was determined in a population of 4116 atopic patients with respiratory symptoms. Some 38.8% of patients were allergic to standard pollen allergens (mixed grass pollen, mixed tree pollen, P. officinalis and Pittosporum tobira). Hypersensitivity to more than one allergen was found in 53% of patients, whereas 19% of patients did not react to any of the standard allergens. Additional testing with newly prepared individual allergens (P. lentiscus, O. europaea, P. halepensis, J. oxycedrus, Mimosa and C. monspeliensis) revealed the causes of hypersensitivity in a number of patients, but the testing of patients nonreactive to standard allergens still left 44% of these individuals without reaction to any of the allergens used. Hypersensitivity to the pollens of P. tobira, C. monspeliensis and J. oxycedrus is described for the first time.