From the Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
ALK, Hørsholm, Denmark.
Allergy Asthma Proc. 2021 Jan 1;42(1):43-54. doi: 10.2500/aap.2021.42.200089.
Oak pollen is an important allergen in North America. The genus Quercus (oak) belongs to the family Fagaceae under the order Fagales. The objective of this article was to narratively review the oak pollen season, clinical and epidemiologic aspects of allergy to oak pollen, oak taxonomy, and oak allergen cross-reactivity, with a focus on the North American perspective. A PubMed literature review (no limits) was conducted. Publications related to oak pollen, oak-related allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis, and oak-related allergic asthma were selected for review. Oak species are common throughout the United States and contribute up to 50% to overall atmospheric pollen loads. Mean peak oak pollen counts can reach >2000 grains/m³. The start of the oak pollen season generally corresponds to the seasonal shift from winter to spring based on latitude and elevation, and may begin as early as mid February. The duration of the season can last > 100 days and, in general, is longer at lower latitudes. In the United States, ∼30% of individuals with allergy are sensitized to oak. The oak pollen season correlates with increased allergic rhinitis symptom-relieving medication use and asthma-related emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Oak falls within the birch homologous group. Extensive immunologic cross-reactivity has been demonstrated between oak pollen and birch pollen allergens, and, more specifically, their major allergens Que a 1 and Bet v 1. The cross-reactivity between oak and birch has implications for allergy immunotherapy (AIT) because guidelines suggest selecting one representative allergen within a homologous group for AIT, a principle that would apply to oak. Allergy to oak pollen is common in North America and has a substantial clinical impact. Oak pollen allergens are cross-reactive with birch pollen allergens, which may have implications for AIT.
栎属花粉是北美的一种重要过敏原。栎属（橡树）属于山毛榉科，山毛榉目。本文旨在综述栎属花粉季节、栎属花粉过敏的临床和流行病学特征、栎属分类学以及栎属过敏原交叉反应，重点关注北美的情况。进行了 PubMed 文献综述（无限制）。选择与栎属花粉、伴有或不伴有结膜炎的栎属相关过敏性鼻炎以及栎属相关过敏性哮喘相关的出版物进行综述。栎属植物在美国各地很常见，占大气花粉负荷的 50%。平均高峰栎属花粉计数可达＞2000 粒/立方米。栎属花粉季节的开始通常与纬度和海拔的冬春季节变化相对应，最早可能在 2 月中旬开始。季节持续时间＞100 天，通常在较低纬度地区持续时间较长。在美国，约 30%的过敏患者对栎属过敏。栎属花粉季节与过敏性鼻炎症状缓解药物使用以及与哮喘相关的急诊就诊或住院治疗增加有关。栎属属于桦木同源群。已证明栎属花粉和桦属花粉过敏原之间存在广泛的免疫交叉反应，更具体地说，它们的主要过敏原 Que a 1 和 Bet v 1 之间存在交叉反应。栎属和桦属之间的交叉反应对过敏免疫治疗（AIT）有影响，因为指南建议在同源群中选择一种代表性过敏原用于 AIT，这一原则适用于栎属。栎属花粉过敏在北美很常见，对临床有很大影响。栎属花粉过敏原与桦属花粉过敏原存在交叉反应，这可能对 AIT 产生影响。
