Short description:

This book presents the latest scientific knowledge on the role of pollens in triggering respiratory allergies and offers up-to-date guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pollen allergy. Detailed information is supplied on allergenic plants and on the complex associations between pollen allergy and local weather conditions, air pollution, and climate change. Readers will learn how climate change in particular is impacting on pollen concentrations, pollen allergenicity, the pollen season, and plant and pollen distribution. A further important feature is the presentation of a forecasting system for allergenic pollens that takes into account a variety of meteorological factors and is designed to be of benefit to allergy patients. This up-to-date scientific knowledge is complemented by clear guidance on all aspects of the management of pollen allergy. The closing chapters address global trends in allergy research and future prospects for pollen allergy. The book will appeal both to researchers seeking state of the art information on the topic and to clinicians wishing to optimize patient care.

Long description:

This book presents the latest scientific knowledge on the role of pollens in triggering respiratory allergies and offers up-to-date guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pollen allergy. Detailed information is supplied on allergenic plants and on the complex associations between pollen allergy and local weather conditions, air pollution, and climate change. Readers will learn how climate change in particular is impacting on pollen concentrations, pollen allergenicity, the pollen season, and plant and pollen distribution. A further important feature is the presentation of a forecasting system for allergenic pollens that takes into account a variety of meteorological factors and is designed to be of benefit to allergy patients. This up-to-date scientific knowledge is complemented by clear guidance on all aspects of the management of pollen allergy. The closing chapters address global trends in allergy research and future prospects for pollen allergy. The book will appeal both to researchers seeking state of the art information on the topic and to clinicians wishing to optimize patient care.

Since there were changes of climate change and pollen allergy in recent years, the book has updated with new concepts and knowledge. For instance, the extension of pollen season and increase of allergic sensitization rate, especially in the young children under teenage. Also pollen calendar and pollen prediction system were updated. In addition, there are some update of methodology in pollen identification such as automatic counters, and other pollen collection methods, as well as diagnosis tools and management of pollen allergy.

Table of Contents:

I. Allergy and Pollen.- 1. What Is Allergy?.- 2. The Overview of Allergic Immune Mechanism.- 3. Who Has Allergic?.- 4 What Is Aeroallergen?.- 5. Pollen As Aeroallergen.- 6. Evaluation of Pollen Allergy.- 7. Factors Influencing Clinical Significance of Pollen.- II. The Formation of Pollen.- 1. The Production of Pollen.- 2. Pollination.- 3. Characteristics of Wind-Pollinated Plants.- 4. Allergens of Pollen.- III. Pollen Collection and Counting.- 1. Purpose of Standardized Air Sampling.- 2. Samplers.- 3. Operation.- 4. Pollen Identification.- 5. The Importance of Pollen Counting.- IV. The Structure of Pollen.- 1 Single Grains (Monads) Without Apertures.- 2. Monocolpate Grains (Monads).- 3. Single Grain with Apertures.- V. Description and Clinical Exposure of Allergic Plants.- 1. Anatomy of Plant.- 2. Taxonomy.- 3. Description and Clinical Relation of Allergic Plants.- VI. Pollen and Climate.- 1. Effects of Weather on Allergen Load and Pollen Potency.- 2. Pollen Calendars.- 3. Effects of Weather on Pollen Flight.- 4. Forecasting Pollen Concentration.- 5. The Influence of Climate Change to Allergenic Pollen.- 6. Thunderstorm-Related Asthma.- VII. Pollen Allergy.- 1. Sensitization to Pollen.- 2. Pollen Threshold Levels for Symptom Development.- 3. Allergenic Pollen Species and Their Threshold Levels.- 4. Clinical Manifestation of Pollen Allergy.- 5. Diagnosis of Pollen Allergy.