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On the basis of their 9-year-long allergological and aeropalinological studies the authors examined if the allergen spectrum of their hay fever patients in connection with the seasonality of the symptoms and the pollen count of these 9 years has changed or not. The results of the skin prick tests and of the case histories of patients examined in 1990/91 and 1997/98 were compared. Pollen counting was performed with a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 sampler. By the end of the examined period the ratio of severely polysensitized patients (with 4 or more positive skin prick tests) increased significantly according to the significantly increased amount of positive skin prick tests to trees, rye and plantago. As the seasonality of the patients, symptoms did not change during this period, this increase in skin prick test positivity means a latent allergy. In a few years, however it may become a manifest allergy causing symptoms in early springtime. According to the pollen count results the atmospheric pollen pollution of the region was markedly high during the possible period of these patients' sensitisation.

The importance of Grass (Poaceae) pollen as a cause of hay fever in the South-Plain of Hungary was studied by aeropalinological and allergological methods. Since 1989 the pollen counting has been performed with the help of a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 sampler. On the basis of the pollen counting the second most important allergen pollen of this region are the grass pollen. From 1989 to 1995 skin prick tests (Soluprick, Epipharm) were performed in 642 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. 261 of these patients suffer from hay fever in May and June when the daily pollen count of grass pollen is the highest. The skin prick tests of these 261 patients were positive to Poaceae in 84%, and to Secale in 63%. But 57% of the patients was allergic to both Poaceae and Secale, so the exact allergen research is very important before hyposensitisation. Ragweed (63%) and Mugwort (33%) sensitivity was found also in high percent of the grasspollinosis patients with symptoms during the late summer season too.

The authors performed allergen research on patients reported hay fever symptoms during the poplar pollen season (March), and in patients with hay fever symptoms during the time of the year that the seed hairs of the poplar trees are blowing in the air (May). Skin prick tests (Epipharm) and serum specific IgE tests (Epignost IgE Quick and Phadezym Populus deltoides RAST, Pharmacia) were performed on the basis of the pollen calendar of Szeged region on 30 patients. The pollen containt of the air was measured by means of a Lanzoni sampler. According to the pollen calendar of our region a large amount of grass pollens could be found in the air at the same time as the seed hairs of poplar trees are present (in May). The season of poplar pollen is in March in this area. Poplar pollen sensitivity was found on 8 patients. This is 6.8% of the total number of hay fever patients. They were found to be sensitive to other tree pollens too. The 23 patients complaining about hay fever symptoms in May, during the flaying of the cottons of the poplar trees in the air were all found to be sensitive to grass pollens. On the basis of our results the poplar pollen sensitivity is a relatively rare cause of hay fever. Our patients having complained about the seed hairs were all found to be sensitive to grass pollens. It seems that the grass pollens are the real cause of their disease.

Atmospheric pollen and spore contents in Szeged were determined with Lanzoni Sampler from July to October in 1989. Late-summer pollen calendar for Szeged was produced on the basis of this pollen counting. Skin prick tests in 69 patients with late-summer seasonal allergic rhinitis were carried out on the basis of this pollen calendar. All patients were found to be sensitive to Ambrosia. 83% of the patients were sensitized to Artemisia too. 93% of the patients were found to be polysensitive. 33% of the patients were found to be sensitive to Alternaria. The continuous atmospheric pollen and spore counting are of importance for the diagnosis and therapy of late-summer seasonal allergic rhinitis.