Peach pollen sensitisation is highly prevalent in areas of great extension of peach tree cultivar.

RATIONALE: Common pollens in the south of Europe and Mediterranean area are olive, grass and parietaria pollen. Because in some areas there are great extensions of peach cultivar, our aim was to study if peach pollen was relevant.

METHODS: The study was undertaken in a population specialized in peach cultivar located in the South-East of Spain. A clinical history plus prick testing was made with a panel of relevant inhalant allergens including peach pollen and with Pru p 3 and Pho d 2 (Profilin).

RESULTS: We evaluated 1800 cases aged between 3 and 90 y.o. Prevalence of sensitisation was: olive 33%, grass pollen 26%, Salsola kali 19%, Cupresus 17% and Parietaria 13%. Peach pollen was 22%. The analysis of prevalence to peach stratified by six years intervals showed: in the first (3-8 y.o. ) 6% with an increase to a maximum of 47% at the interval of 21-27 y.o. (P<0.001) From the total number of positive to peach pollen, the 40% was positive to Pru p 3. The clinical entities referred by the subjects were: rhinitis in 79% of the cases, asthma in 29%, urticaria in 24% and anaphylaxis in 18%. Most of the cases sensitized to peach pollen were also to the other pollens tested with only few cases monosensitised to peach pollen.

CONCLUSIONS: Sensitisation and allergy to peach pollen must be evaluated in areas with a high cultivars. Because most of the patients are also sensitized to other pollens, the clinical relevance of peach tree pollen must be established.