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Original Article
 

Airborne plane-tree (Platanus hispanica) pollen distribution in the city of Córdoba, South-western Spain, and possible implications on pollen allergy
 

P. Alcázar1, P. Cariñanos1, C. De Castro2, F. Guerra2, C. Moreno2, E. Domínguez-Vilches1 and C. Galán1

1 Department of Plant Biology (Botany). University of Córdoba, Spain
2 Allergy Unit of the Reina Sofia Hospital, Córdoba, Spain

J Invest Allergol Clin Immunol 2004; Vol. 14(3): 238-243
 

 Abstract


Plane-trees are widely grown in Spain as ornamentals. This taxon releases large amounts of pollen into the air and this pollen type seems to have proved implications on pollinosis.

The aim of this study was to analyse airborne Platanus pollen content in the air of Córdoba (South-western Spain) over the last 10 years, and its distribution in
different areas of the city, as well as to consider possible implications regarding pollen allergies.

Results revealed that Platanus pollen concentrations have been at their highest over the last 5 years. Within the city, the lowest pollen concentrations were in Northern areas of the city. Nevertheless, concentrations high enough to be of risk are reached over the whole city. All the patients studied presented symptoms during the Platanus pollen season.

We can therefore conclude that plane pollen presents a risk for the whole city although symptoms are more intense and persistent in districts with a higher number of plane-trees. Platanus allergy is a particular problem for citydwellers, where these trees are commonly used as ornamentals.

Key words: plane-tree pollen, Platanus pollinosis, pollen spatial variability, urban aerobiology, urban pollinosis.