A Clinical Study of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Pollen-Induced Asthma

Abstract

Background: Grass and birch pollens are known to induce asthma. However there are few reports about other pollen-induced asthma. Japanese cedar is the most common allergen in rhinitis in Japan but is controversial on whether it can provoke asthma. Methods: To clarify Japanese cedar pollen-induced asthma, we studied adult patients who were sensitized only to the Japanese cedar (CAP-RAST > = 2) and had symptoms of asthma during the cedar season. We defined cedar asthma as a patient who satisfied the 2 criteria mentioned above. Results: We found 6 adult asthma patients who fulfilled the two criteria. Five patients suffered from cedar pollinosis in addition to asthma, and 1 patient had no pollinosis. The cedar pollinosis preceded asthma in 3 cases and occurred at almost the same time in the other 2 cases. Pulmonary function was normal in these cases (FEV 1%, mean ± SD, 76.5 ± 10%), with a high threshold value in the non-specific airway hypersensitivity test (Ach-PC20, 2,696 to 20,000 Mg/ml, 9294 ± 2) and low total IgE (101 ± 86 IU/ml). In the allergen provocation test, 3 subjects showed both an immediate and late asthmatic reaction. Conclusions: We concluded that Japanese cedar pollen could provoke not only pollinosis but also asthma in adults.

Keywords

• acethylcholine
• bronchial provocation test
• Japanese cedar
• non-specific airway hypersensitivity
• pollen-induced asthma