Vine pollen allergy in areas with a high density of vineyards

Background: In Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, the area with the highest density of vineyards in the world, 2 cases of Vitis vinifera pollen allergy have been previously reported. Objective: To determine the clinical relevance and biochemical characteristics of vine pollen in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real. Methods: We designed a prospective study of patients treated in the allergy units from Puertollano and Ciudad Real for respiratory symptoms of 4 months' duration in the year 2000. Skin prick tests with a standard aeroallergen battery and V vinifera pollen extract were performed on all patients. We also performed conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and serum specific IgE and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting on the patients who tested positive for V vinifera pollen. Results: We included 200 patients, 98 sensitized to any pollen and 9 to V vinifera pollen. We found 8 of 9 positive conjunctival provocation test results and a positive bronchial provocation result to vine pollen in a vine grower. Serum specific IgE against V vinifera pollen was detected in 9 of 9 patients. Immunoblotting with V vinifera pollen extract showed IgE-binding bands at 45 and 67 kDa. Conclusions: Vine pollen could be the cause of pollinosis in exposed patients living in areas with a high density of vineyards.