D1.10 - Tree pollen allergy profile in Ukraine assessed by large-scale molecular component analysis

Tree pollen is an important source of seasonal allergies in various populations around the world. Analysis of the sensitization to tree pollen can help  determine the best strategies for the prevention and treatment of seasonal allergy.

Data of 7,518 people sensitive to 26 molecular components of 19 tree species who were tested by the ALEX method in 17 regions of Ukraine in 2020-2022 was analyzed. Among them were 3185 adults and 4333 children under the age of 18: 57.63 % – children, 42.37% – adults, “children:adults” ratio was 1.36. A Python algorithm, MS Excel 2013 and Natural breaks (Jenks) method in the ArcGIS program were used for analysis.

The sensitivity to tree allergens was consistent with the geographical location of Ukraine where tree species of the Fagales family predominate. Hypersensitivity to Cry j 1 (46.01%), Bet v 1 (41.67%), Fag s 1 (34.38%) was noticeable in all age groups and was associated with the highest average sIgE levels. Average IgE to Bet v 1 (15.97±15.63), Cry j 1 (10.47±13.39) and Fag s 1 (9.89±12.16) were highest. Levels of sIgE to Cor a 1.0103 (9.72±11.88) and Aln g 4 (8.65±13.74) were also high. These same components showed the highest sIgE levels separately in both children and adults. In all cases, the sIgE levels recorded for these components in the children were higher. One third of the patients were sensitized to Pop n and to Cor a 1.0103. The percentage of the sensitized to a certain component or extract was higher among children. Only for Fra e 1, Ole e 1, Ole e 9 and Pla a 1 there were more adults sensitized with  overall  sensitization to these components low. Large numbers of patients were sensitized to poplar  or to Cry j 1 only (14.25% and 13.93%, respectively) while sensitization for Jun a was 0.01% and to Bet v 1 was 3.15%. Individuals sensitized only to Cry j 1 were abundant among both those with low and high sIgE levels. For Bet v 1 and other components it was mostly people with low sensitization. Individuals with sensitivity only to Pop n  had almost exclusively low-level sIgE <1 kU/L.

Considering the identified risks of sensitization to tree pollens, landscaping of cities and cultivation of trees in populated areas must consider the potential allergenicity of the planted species. Implementing of this practice into long-term government programs may help to manage allergen exposure.