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Pollen is routinely monitored, but it is unknown whether pollen counts represent allergen exposure. We therefore simultaneously determined olive pollen and Ole e 1 in ambient air in C ordoba, Spain, and Evora, Portugal, using Hirst-type traps for pollen and high-volume cascade impactors for allergen. Pollen from different days released 12-fold different amounts of Ole e 1 per pollen (both locations P < 0.001). Average allergen release from pollen (pollen potency) was much higher in C ordoba (3.9 pg Ole e 1/pollen) than in Evora (0.8 pg Ole e 1/pollen, P = 0.004). Indeed, yearly olive pollen counts in C ordoba were 2.4 times higher than in Evora, but Ole e 1 concentrations were 7.6 times higher. When modeling the origin of the pollen, >40% of Ole e 1 exposure in Evora was explained by high-potency pollen originating from the south of Spain. Thus, olive pollen can vary substantially in allergen release, even though they are morphologically identical.

Introduction. Exposure to allergens is pivotal in determining sensitization and allergic symptoms in individuals. Pollen grain counts in ambient air have traditionally been assessed to estimate airborne allergen exposure. However, the exact allergen content in ambient air is unknown. HIALINE therefore monitored atmospheric concentrations of Betula, Poaceae and Olea pollen grains and matched their major allergens Bet v1, Phl p5 and Ole e1 across Europe. Monitoring the allergens themselves together with pollen in ambient air might be an improvement in allergen exposure assessment. New knowledge through the use of new experimental approaches in the field of aerobiological monitoring will enable better in the prevention and clinical management of pollinosis. In order to disseminate the knowledge of the project we present the results of first year of birch pollen grains and the matched major pollen allergen Bet v1 monitored in Parma (UNIPR), Italy with a short reference to the results obtained by the other participants and about developing models of dissemination and forecasts of pollen and allergens. Materials and methods. The pollen was sampled by a Hirst pollen trap. Allergens was collected with a CHEMVOL® high-volume cascade impactor, extracted from pollen and quantified by ELISA. Antibodies for analysis of Bet v1 are delivered by the industrial partner in this project. Quality control has been carried out for the monitoring pollen activities and allergen concentrations. Results. The project has highlighted that it is possible also to measure pollen allergen in ambient air in different European areas. The results obtained from the center of Parma and other European partners have highlighted the different allergenic powers of pollen of Betula, in different geographical areas. Moreover, daily in each area the allergenic power of pollen grains was very variable. Discussion. HIALINE has been a very important project to understand the mechanisms of sensitization, clinical management of pollinosis and to improve immunotherapy towards a tailored immunotherapy. The results of the project will help medical doctors, authorities and patients, to better manage the different aspects related to pollinosis.

ln general it has been observed similar profiles lor airborne pollen and aeroallergens content in the air, being aeroal/ergens more associated to XL Iraction stage. On the olher hand, ii has been delected al/ergenic activity out Irom pol/en season, especiaily in the case 01 M stage. Smaller particles are more exposed to medium-Iong distant transporto Moreover, results have provides strong evidence that similar value 01 airbome pol/en evokes different ambient air allergen loads in different geographicai areas. Even more, when lhe same area is considered the allergen load of the pol/en can vary within lhe season. Pollen differs in allergen release between European countries. Our sludy suoports lhe importance 01 lhe aeroal/ergen quantificatlon logether wilh airborne pol/en counls, in order to define the ouldoor air allergenic load. Conclusions: Under these results, the expected outcomes are lhe implementation 01 a network of European outdoor allergen measurements to belter predict allergic symploms. Also lhe climafic lactors that govem allergen exposure in ouldoor air will be eslablished. These can be used lo calculate the effect 01 climate change on lhe health effecls 01 airborne al/ergens. Pol/eninlo.org offers a new 1001 on Patient's Hayfever Diary (PHD).

The results in Italy should be compared with those from partners in other counlries. II will be important to confirm some observations during the first and second year of the projecl activity which showed the presence of a different allergenic power in difleren! geographical areas as observed for other types of pollen (Poaceae and Olea). The aim of lhe project was to measure the pollen's capacity to release allergens and this will result inlo an allergen exposure forecast, taking into consideration pollen counts and allergen release trom diflerent locations. The results of the project will help medical doctors, authorities and patients to better manage lhe diflerent aspects related to pollinosis.