J Korean Med Sci.  2012 Apr;27(4):350-355. 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.4.350.

Changes in Sensitization Rate to Weed Allergens in Children with Increased Weeds Pollen Counts in Seoul Metropolitan Area

• Kim JH
• Oh JW
• Lee HB
• Kim SW
• Kang IJ
• Kook MH
• Kim BS
• Park KS
• Baek HS
• Kim KR
• Choi YJ

• KMID: 2157893
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.4.350

Abstract

The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased for several decades. We evaluated the correlation between pollen count of weeds and their sensitization rate in Seoul, 1997-2009. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from 3 stations around Seoul. Skin prick tests to pollen were performed on children with allergic diseases. Ragweed pollen gradually increased between 1999 and 2005, decreased after 2005 and plateaued until 2009 (peak counts, 67 in 2003, 145 in 2005 and 83 grains/m3/day in 2007). Japanese hop pollen increased between 2002 and 2009 (peak counts, 212 in 2006 and 492 grains/m3/day in 2009). Sensitization rates to weed pollen, especially ragweed and Japanese hop in children with allergic diseases, increased annually (ragweed, 2.2% in 2000 and 2.8% in 2002; Japanese hop, 1.4% in 2000 and 1.9% in 2002). The age for sensitization to pollen gradually became younger since 2000 (4 to 6 yr of age, 3.5% in 1997 and 6.2% in 2009; 7 to 9 yr of age, 4.2% in 1997 and 6.4% in 2009). In conclusion, sensitization rates for weed pollens increase in Korean children given increasing pollen counts of ragweed and Japanese hop.

Keyword

Plant Weeds; Pollen; Immunologic Sensitization

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Allergens/*immunology
Ambrosia/immunology/*metabolism
Asthma/epidemiology/immunology
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology
Male
Pollen/*immunology
Prevalence
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology/immunology
Skin Tests

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Annual weed pollen counts from 1997 to 2009 in Seoul. Weed pollen included ragweed, Japanese hop and mugwort which are common weed plants in Korea. *P < 0.05.

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  Fig. 2 Changes in annual weed pollen counts from 1997 to 2009 in Seoul. (A) Ragweed. (B) Japanese hops. (C) Mugwort. *P < 0.05.

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  Fig. 3 Annual sensitization rates to pollens from 1997 to 2009 in Seoul. *P < 0.05.

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  Fig. 4 Annual sensitization rates to ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop. *P < 0.05 for ragweed pollen between 2000 and 2002; †P < 0.05 for Japanese hop between 2000 and 2002.

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  Fig. 5 Annual sensitization rates to weed pollen allergens according to age. Weed pollen included ragweed, Japanese hop and mugwort. *P < 0.05 between 1998 and 1999, and between 2002-2004 in 4-6 yr of age; †P < 0.05 between 1999 and 2000 in 7-9 yr of age.

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