Tromsø Birch Rust Allergy Study. Allergy to Birch Rust, a Possible Explanation to Seasonal Airway Allergy During Autumn? (Tro-BRA)

University Hospital of North Norway

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Allergy

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Basophil Activation Test; Diagnostic Test: Nasal provocation test; Diagnostic Test: MeDALL questionnaire for allergic diseases; Diagnostic Test: Skin Prick Test; Diagnostic Test: Registration of allergic symptoms; Diagnostic Test: Specific IgE in serum

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04322838

62924 (REK)

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this project we study if spores from birch rust fungi (Melampsoridium Betulinum = MB) may be the eliciting allergen in patients with seasonal airway allergy during autumn in North Norway. Patients with suspected allergy to MB are compared with non-allergic controls using data about allergic disease and daily allergic symptoms during autumn. Daily spread of MB spores are compared with daily variations in allergic symptoms. Sensitization to MB and MB allergy are tested with skin prick test, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum, nasal provocation test and basophil activation test (BAT).

Full description

It is unknown why patients experience seasonal airway allergy during autumn in Norway, when there is no spread of pollen. Some old studies indicate that rust fungi on other plants may act as allergens to humans (1-6). In Norway, some patients report typical symptoms of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma from August to October which stops when temperature falls below zero (Celsius). Based on several patient experiences we hypothesize that MB may cause seasonal airway allergy during autumn. In this pilot study we will compare 30 patients with suspected allergy to MB with a control group of 15 non-allergic individuals. All 45 participants will answer the MeDALL (mechanisms of the development of allergy) questionnaire (7) about allergic diseases and daily register allergic symptoms (8) in the period from 1st of August to 15th of October 2020. Daily variations in symptoms will be compared with daily variations in spread of MB spores registered in pollen traps. Sensitization to MB will be tested with skin prick test and specific IgE in serum and allergy to MB with nasal provocation test and basophil activation test (BAT).

Identification of allergens and production of MB extracts for testing will be performed by Luxembourg institute of Health (LiH)(9-12) and BAT by Oslo University hospital (13-14)

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Self reported seasonal airway allergic symptoms during autumn

Exclusion criteria

• Perennial airway allergic symptoms without worsening during autumn

Trial design

45 participants in 2 patient groups

Patients

Description:

30 patients with self-reported seasonal allergic airway symptoms in the period from 1st of August to 15.th of october

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Nasal provocation test

Diagnostic Test: Specific IgE in serum

Diagnostic Test: Skin Prick Test

Diagnostic Test: Registration of allergic symptoms

Diagnostic Test: MeDALL questionnaire for allergic diseases

Diagnostic Test: Basophil Activation Test

Controls

Description:

15 non-allergic individuals

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Nasal provocation test

Diagnostic Test: Specific IgE in serum

Diagnostic Test: Skin Prick Test

Diagnostic Test: Registration of allergic symptoms

Diagnostic Test: MeDALL questionnaire for allergic diseases

Diagnostic Test: Basophil Activation Test