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Thunderstorm asthma due to grass pollen

¹Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Monash Medical School, Prahran, Australia.

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology

|August 7, 1998

Summary

Ryegrass pollen ruptures in water, releasing starch granules containing allergens that trigger allergic asthma. These granules, found in high concentrations after rain, are linked to thunderstorm-asthma epidemics.

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Area of Science:

Allergy and Immunology
Environmental Health
Respiratory Medicine

Background:

Grass pollen is a known trigger for hay fever and allergic asthma.
Thunderstorm-associated asthma epidemics highlight the need to understand pollen's role.
Micronic particles (<5 µm) are required to reach lower airways and trigger asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanism by which grass pollen triggers asthma.
To present evidence linking grass pollen to thunderstorm-associated asthma.
To emphasize the importance of allergen avoidance and asthma risk forecasting.

Main Methods:

Analysis of ryegrass pollen rupture upon water contact.
Identification of starch granules containing the Lol p 5 allergen.
Isolation and quantification of atmospheric starch granules post-rainfall.
Review of evidence for grass pollen's role in asthma epidemics.

Main Results:

Ryegrass pollen ruptures in water, releasing starch granules with the major allergen Lol p 5.
These starch granules trigger IgE-mediated allergic responses in vitro and in vivo.
Atmospheric starch granule concentrations increased 50-fold after rainfall in Melbourne.
Free allergen molecules can bind to other particles, facilitating airway entry.

Conclusions:

Grass pollen starch granules are a significant trigger for allergic asthma, particularly during thunderstorms.
Patients with IgE to group 5 allergens are at high risk.
Effective allergen avoidance programs and asthma risk forecasting systems are crucial.

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