Allergenic ambrosia (Ragweed) pollen concentrations in turkey

Abstract

Objective: Most of the members belonging to the genus Ambrosia are invaders and have negative effects on agricultural areas and biodiversity. In addition, pollen grains belonging to species of this genus cause some diseases such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic asthma on susceptible individuals.Materials and Methods: In this study, within the atmospheric pollen studies prepared by Lanzoni/Burkard or Durham samplers in different regions of Turkey; Ambrosia pollen recorded centres and annual amounts were observed. Also studies about Ambrosia pollen sensitivity, which carried out in Europe and Turkey were analyzed and evaluated.Results: In our country, while plants belonging to Ambrosia genus encountered in Black sea, Mediterranean and some areas in Mid-Anatolia regions, pollen grains of the genus encountered in the atmosphere of distributed areas as well as some non-distributed ones. As the same, in the aeropalynological study we performed for the year 2013 in Bursa city, where this plant is not distribute around, pollen grains encountered in August-September period in the atmosphere as in the other regions.Conclusion: Compared to many countries in Europe, considering distribution of the plant and the pollen amounts in the atmosphere; it is seen that plants and atmospheric pollen grains of Ambrosia are not pose a threat for our country yet. But it should be noted that, Ambrosia pollen grains can play a role together with Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and Artemisia pollen grains on allergic symptoms of respiratory system, which seen in August-September period.