Dictionary of Allergies .. Chrysanthemum

Plant of the family Compositae which can produce plant contact dermatitis in professional gardeners, florists and those who grow plants as a hobby. Groenewoud et al, (2002) in their study found a high prevalence (57%) of work-related symptoms among employees of Chrysanthemum greenhouses with the main symptoms being rhinitis and conjunctivitis. It was striking that symptoms of the skin, often mentioned as an important manifestation of an occupational allergy to Chrysanthemum were reported to a lesser extent (14%). In addition, symptoms of the lower airways, which are considered to be the most serious manifestation of an occupational allergy, were found in 9%.

Sensitization to Chrysanthemum pollen, confirmed by skin prick testing and the radio-allergo-sorbent test, appeared to be an important determinant for the occurrence of work-related symptoms of nose, eyes, and skin. This association was logically not found for symptoms of the lower airways because there were only two sensitized employees with symptoms of such a kind. The impression that greenhouse employees with work-related rhinitis were impaired in their day-to-day lives was supported by the results of the rhinitis QOL questionnaires.

The negative effect of rhinitis was obviously most pronounced for the domains practical problems, activities and nasal symptoms, which seem to be closely related. Of the seven tested members of the Chrysanthemum family there was not one kind in particular to which the employees were sensitized mostly and therefore most suitable to screen for sensitization to Chrysanthemum. It has been described a strong cross-sensitization to Chrysanthemum and mugwort. In addition, cross-reactivity between Helianthus, also a member of the Compositae family, and mugwort pollen has been described earlier by Fernandez et al. (1993).

References

Fernández C, Martín-Esteban M, Fiandor A et al. Analysis of cross-reactivity between sunflower pollen and other pollens of the Compositae family. JAllergy Clin Immunol 1993;92:660-667

Groenewoud GC, de Jong NW, Burdorf A, de Groot H, van Wÿk RG. Prevalence of occupational allergy to Chrysanthemum pollen in greenhouses in the Netherlands. Allergy 2002:57:9:835