GRASS POLLEN ALLERGY
Key Allergens
There are multiple species of grasses described on the World Health Organization Allergen Database.
The main allergen involved in grass allergy is the beta expansin protein. These are cell wall proteins which affect the airways.
Grass pollen occurs in the UK between April and September, peaking in June. This varies in different countries. It is considered to have high allergenicity.
Associated Syndromes
An allergy to grass pollen is strongly associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
A grass pollen allergy is also linked to asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.
Cross Reactivity
Other plants containing beta expansin proteins are barley, rye, maize and rice.
Resources
Websites
Science Direct - Expansins
DermNet NZ - Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome
Allergy UK - Allergic rhinitis
Worcester Pollen Forecast
Allergy UK - Managing your asthma and your allergic rhinitis throughout the seasons
Articles and Journals
Grass Allergy and Risk of Anaphylaxis During Subcutaneous Immunotherapy, 2024
Incidence of grass and weed sensitization in Bangkok, Thailand: a clinical study, 2024
Comprehensive Study on Key Pollen Allergens, 2022
Within city spatiotemporal variation of pollen concentration in the city of Toronto, Canada , 2022
Environmental stress influences expression of grass group-1 allergen/beta-expansin in pollen of maize and rice, 2020
Sensitization to grass pollen allergen molecules in a birth cohort—natural Phl p 4 as an early indicator of grass pollen allergy, 2020
Beta-Expansin of Bermuda, Johnson, and Para grass pollens, is a major cross-reactive allergen for allergic rhinitis patients in subtropical climate, 2019
Grass pollen allergy in children and adolescents-symptoms, health related quality of life and the value of pollen prognosis, 2013
Molecular profiles of IgE to Phleum pratense in children with grass pollen allergy: Implications for specific immunotherapy, 2012
Allergenic pollen and pollen allergy in Europe, 2007
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