Mugwort pollen allergy L23.7 L50.0 J30.- H10.1

Pollen from Artemisia vulgaris, the mugwort, is considered the leading allergen for spice allergies (see also China Spice Syndrome). Mugwort is one of the most widespread wild herbs with a flowering period from June to September(important for the allergic pollinosis of late summer). Mugwort belongs to the wind-pollinating (anemophilic) composites, which cause sensitization more often than the insect-pollinating (entomophilic) composites. Major allergens of mugwort pollen are type v 1 (defensin-like protein) and type v 3 (nsLTP).

Currently identified and accepted allergens of Artemisiavulgaris:

• Art v 1 Defensin-like protein (major allergen with a sensitization rate of 60-95%)
• Type v 2 Pathogenesis-related protein PR-1 (see PR-10 proteins below)
• Species v 3 non-species lipid transfer protein (major allergen, indicator of cross-reactions with other members of the lipid transfer protein family)
• Species v 4 Profilin

After grass and tree pollen, mugwort is the third most important allergen causing pollinosis. Besides pollinosis, mugwort pollen can cause generalised urticaria and anaphylaxis. Common antigens have been found in pollen of mugwort, daisy, sunflower, birch and ragweed.

Mugwort pollen is considered the lead allergen in food allergy to spices and vegetables from the umbelliferous family (e.g. aniseed, curry, dill, caraway, carrot, lovage and celery) (" celery-carrot-mugwort spice syndrome", "mugwort pollen-associated allergies"), which can manifest itself as oral allergy syndrome, urticaria or even in the form of protein contact dermatitis as an occupational disease in butchers.

Cross-allergies of celery, mugwort and birch are common (87% of patients with an allergy to celery develop pollinosis with evidence of sensitisation to mugwort), see also birch-mugwort-celery syndrome.

The cross-reactivity can be very extensive. The responsible allergen is the species v 1 (60kD). It is a pectate lyase with pronounced homologies to similar compounds in grapevine Amb e 1) and Japanese cedar (Cry j 1). In contrast to the symptoms of birch pollen allergy, systemic reactions up to anaphylactic shock are more frequent.

In recent years a cross-allergy of mugwort and chamomile has gained importance.

1. Gang K et al (2016) Marker allergens and panallergens in tree and pollen allergy. In: Tebbe JK et al (Hrsg) Molecular allergy diagnostics. Springer Publishing House GmbH S177-204
2. Jakob T et al (2016) Molecular allergy diagnostics in multiplex procedure. In: Tebbe JK et al (Hrsg) Molecular allergy diagnostics. Springer Publishing House GmbH S149-274
3. Kurzen M et al (2003) Occupational mugwort allergy. JDDG 1: 285-291
4. WHO/IUS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee