Abstract
Molecular diagnosis of allergy is a modern approach which enables new insights into the sensitization profiles of allergic patients. Microarray technology provides detection of sensitization to a higher number of molecules in frame of one test.
We used this tool in the sensitization analysis to pollen derived molecules in patients coming from our region. 1096 patients sensitized to at least one pollen derived molecule were included into the analysis. The most frequent sensitization rate (80.8%) was found to grass pollen derived molecules (Phl p 1 66.3%), the second most frequent (54.9%) was to betulaceae pollen derived molecules (Bet v 1 52.5%).
Sensitization rates to cupressaceae and plane tree pollen derived molecules were observed unexpectedly frequently (in 14.0%, resp. 15.3%). Sensitization rates to other pollen derived molecules were in the expected ranges.
Sensitizations to cross-reacting molecules (panallergens) were observed less frequently than reported from southern countries. Molecular diagnosis of allergy gives a more precise and comprehensive insight into the sensitization profile of a patient, allowing better understanding of the sensitization process, and the explored data may help to the optimization of allergen specific immunotherapy.