Cypress pollen allergy T78.0, T 78.1, L27.-

Cypresses (from Greek kyparissos) are a genus of plant in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is found in all warm climates of the northern hemisphere, including North and Central America, as well as northwestern Africa and China. Cypresses are evergreen trees. The Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has been cultivated since antiquity and its tall, slender growth form is characteristic of various cultural landscapes, such as Tuscany, Italy, and China. It has a tall, slender habit and is characteristic of various cultural landscapes, such as Tuscany.

The most important marker genes, both glycosylated pectatylases, are Cup a 1 of Cupressus arizonica and Cry j 1 of Crypomdria japonica of the Japanese cedar.

Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress)

• Cup a 1 pectate lyase (major allergen; marker allergen for sensitization against cypress, cedar, juniper)

Cupressus sempervirens (Common cypress)

• Cup s 1 Pectate lyase
• Cup s 3 Thaumatin-like protein

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar)

• Cry j 1 Pectate lyase (marker allergen of the Japanese cedar; reactivity should be considered an indication of cypress sensitization in regions without Japanese cedar.
• Cry j 2 Polygalacturonase

Cypress pollen is an important source of cross-reactive allergenic pollen. The flight time of pollen is in the months January to March. The prevalence of allergy to the pollen of the different species is very low. The prevalence of allergy to pollen of the various cypress species is clearly increasing. Their importance was underestimated for a long time. In a larger Italian study (2258 atopic patients) 70% of patients in central Italy and 16% in northern Italy were sensitized with clinical signs of rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Sensitization to cypress pollen may be the most common type of sensitization, varying from region to region.

1. Barberini S et al (2015) Different allergenicity of pollen extracts of three Mediterranean cypress species accounted for cytological observations. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 47:149-155.
2. Higaki T et al (2013) Determining minimal clinically important differences in Japanese cedar/cypress pollinosis patients. Allergol Int 62:487-493.
3. Shahali Y et al (2013) Indoor, long-term persistence of cypress pollen allergenic potency: a 10-month study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 111:428-430.
4. Sposato B et al (2014) Cypress pollen: an unexpected major sensitizing agent in different regions of Italy. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 24:23-28.