A Study of Graminea Pollinosis

Graminea is the most important allergen in pollinosis of grasses particularly in Timothy and Orchard grass. We report herein the clinical features seen in 31 Japanese patients.All 31 patients were positive in the Timothy skin reaction, and the rate was 74.2% in Orchard grass. In the nasal provocation test, 82.6% reacted to Timothy, and 63.0% to Orchard grass. The rate of agreement was over 80% in skin reaction and the nasal provocation tests.In 25, IgE antibody was detected with the Radioallergosorbent test in Timothy, 24 in Orchard grass, and 26 in Kentucky bluegrass. In numerous cases, RAST scores of those antigens were practically identical. The rate of agreement was about 80% in RAST and skin reactions.We also reviewed cross reactions which are potent among pollen from plants in the same family with in vitro neutralization test, and we found that there was a community of allergens in Graminea pollen.