One grass or many? Does allergy distinguish among species?

摘要

Grass pollen is the most important seasonal allergen source throughout Europe. Grasses from the Pooideae subfamily, or so-called sweet grasses (Poaceae), are widely distributed and account for exposure and allergic sensitization to various grass pollen allergens from Northern to Southern Europe. Considering the overlap in pollination periods and closely related grain morphology, the individual contribution of Pooideae species like cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), English ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), common white oat (Avena sativa), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense), cereal rye {Secale se-reale) and others to the overall pollen counts cannot be specified during exposure.