Birch Rust Spore Exposure and Upper Airway Symptom Dynamics in a Subarctic Region: Indications for a Novel Seasonal Allergen

IF 4.2 2区医学 Q2 ALLERGY

Clinical and Translational Allergy Pub Date : 2026-08-09 DOI:10.1002/clt2.70196

Randi Falnes Olsen, Kristian Svendsen, Thorsten Graf, Annette Kuehn, Viera Stubnova, Martin Sørensen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Airway allergies affect 20%–30% of the global population, with pollen and fungal spores representing major environmental triggers. Although fungal spores are far more abundant than pollen, their allergenic role—particularly from phytopathogenic rust fungi such as birch rust (BR)—remains poorly understood. In Northern Norway, where seasonal dispersal of BR spores occurs with minimal overlap from other aeroallergen exposures, we investigated their potential contribution to autumnal airway symptoms by linking spore distribution with clinical outcomes.

Methods

In this prospective study, 160 patients and 94 controls were followed during BR season (Aug-Oct) and out of season (Jan-Feb). Participants reported allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and/or asthma. Symptom scores (Visual Analogue Scale), nasal airflow (Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow), and lung function (spirometry) were recorded, alongside daily BR spore counts from three monitoring sites.

Results

During BR season, patients showed significantly higher symptom severity (VAS difference 1.58, p < 0.01) and lower PNIF values (−12.2 L/min, p = 0.01) versus controls. Seasonal increases in symptoms were observed (1.70, p < 0.001), and anti-allergic medication use was more frequent in patients (62.5% of patients vs. 1.1% of controls (p < 0.001). Symptom worsening was associated with reported proximity to birch forests (regression coefficient 0.46, p < 0.01, R² = 0.48).

Conclusions

BR spore exposure was associated with increased autumnal airway symptoms, suggesting that BR may represent an underrecognized trigger. These findings highlight the need for further research, including allergen-specific testing and dispersal modelling, to clarify their clinical relevance.

Trial Registration

This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05661812)

查看原文本刊更多论文

亚北极地区桦树锈病孢子暴露和上呼吸道症状动态：一种新的季节性过敏原的适应症。

背景：气道过敏影响全球20%-30%的人口，花粉和真菌孢子是主要的环境诱因。尽管真菌孢子比花粉丰富得多，但它们的致敏作用——特别是来自植物病原锈病真菌，如桦树锈病（BR）——仍然知之甚少。在挪威北部，BR孢子的季节性传播与其他空气过敏原暴露的重叠很少，我们通过将孢子分布与临床结果联系起来，调查了它们对秋季呼吸道症状的潜在贡献。方法：在这项前瞻性研究中，160例患者和94例对照组在BR季节（8 - 10月）和非季节（1 - 2月）进行随访。参与者报告过敏性鼻炎、结膜炎和/或哮喘。记录症状评分（视觉模拟量表）、鼻气流（峰值鼻吸气流量）和肺功能（肺活量测定法），以及来自三个监测点的每日BR孢子计数。结果：BR季节患者症状严重程度明显增高（VAS差异1.58,p 2 = 0.48）。结论：BR孢子暴露与秋季气道症状增加相关，提示BR可能是一个未被充分认识的触发因素。这些发现强调了进一步研究的必要性，包括过敏原特异性测试和扩散模型，以阐明其临床相关性。试验注册：本研究在ClinicalTrials.gov注册（标识符：NCT05661812）。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical and Translational Allergy Immunology and Microbiology-Immunology

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

4.50%

发文量

117

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical and Translational Allergy, one of several journals in the portfolio of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, provides a platform for the dissemination of allergy research and reviews, as well as EAACI position papers, task force reports and guidelines, amongst an international scientific audience. Clinical and Translational Allergy accepts clinical and translational research in the following areas and other related topics: asthma, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, drug hypersensitivity, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic skin diseases, atopic eczema, urticaria, angioedema, venom hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, food allergy, immunotherapy, immune modulators and biologics, animal models of allergic disease, immune mechanisms, or any other topic related to allergic disease.