Cultivated rye
Summary
Globally, grass pollens are a significant cause of IgE-mediated allergy, affecting approximately 40% of all grass allergic patients. Cultivated rye (Secale cereale) is one of the major cereal crops globally. It is used as feed for farm animals. It is widely distributed over the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and pollinates by the wind. Cultivated rye grass (S. cereale) should not be confused with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne); rye, the foodstuff (Secale cereale); and the Wild Rye grass (Elymus tricoides). The pollinating season of cultivated rye varies between May and August, differing according to the geographical location. Its pollens are shed in huge amounts and are considered as a significant triggering factor for acute allergic symptoms like conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma in individuals sensitized to grass pollens. Sensitization to pollens of cereals is widespread. Cultivated rye shows extensive cross-reactivity with the other species of Pooideae family including Timothy grass and perennial ryegrass.
Epidemiology
Worldwide distribution
All over the world, grass pollens are an important cause of IgE-mediated allergy. Nearly 40% of all allergic patients are affected by grass pollen allergy. Sensitization to pollens of cereals is categorized as the most widespread sensitization.
A study in 1998 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reported that cultivated rye was one of the most abundant aeroallergens found in dust samples collected during sandstorms, and are potential triggers of respiratory diseases. In Azerbaijan, Iran, 78 (48.6%) of 150 patients (mean age of 30.2 ± 14.7 years) with atopic dermatitis (AD) were found to be sensitized to cultivated rye, of which 39 (53.4%) were females, and 34 (44.1%) were males.
Cultivated rye pollen, along with wheat and oat was a major triggering factor for bronchial asthma in 327 allergic patients (aged between 18 to 85 years) in Portugal. In a representative sample of 17,641 children and adolescents (0–17 years) across Germany, the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (2003 to 2006) found that the prevalence of allergic sensitization to cultivated rye was 21.2% (CI: 20.0–22.4). In the entire sample, 17% of girls and 25.1% of boys were reported to be allergic to cultivated rye pollen. In the Elbasan region, Albania, sensitization to cultivated rye was found in 13.54% (34 out of 251) patients who presented with allergic diseases.
Route Of Exposure
Main
Pollens from cultivated rye enter the respiratory system through inhalation.
Clinical Relevance
Allergic rhinitis
Pollen from cultivated rye are shed in huge amounts and is considered as a significant triggering factor for allergic rhinitis (AR) in the regions where it is found.
Asthma
In individuals sensitized to grass pollens, any contact with the pollen elicits acute inflammatory symptoms like conjunctivitis, asthma, and AR. A study on 673 pediatric patients (between the age of 6 months and 17 years) with allergic disorders was carried out in Moscow, Russia, and found that the specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) response for cultivated rye was more strongly related to asthma than with upper airway disorders [adjusted Odd’s Ratio (aOR) = 1.14; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.68;1.91] like rhinosinusitis and AR, and atopic dermatitis (AD) (aOR=2.60; 95% CI = 1.39;4.87).
Atopic dermatitis
Pollen is a significant allergen source in Iran. A study on 31 patients (15 - 32 years) with AD (symptoms like itching, skin dryness, or wool intolerance, aggravated by environmental changes and stress) was carried out in Birjand, Eastern Iran. Cultivated rye was found to be the second leading (29.1%) cause of allergy after Cypress (35.5%).
Another study on 150 patients with AD who were resistant to treatment, in the northwest of Iran, found that cultivated rye caused allergy in 48.6% of the patients. The patients presented with itching, eczema, dryness of skin, and red rashes as the most common symptoms.
Cross-Reactivity
Cultivated rye shows extensive cross-reactivity with the other species of Pooideae family of grasses.
Widespread IgE cross-reactivity was seen between the group 1 grass allergens of Timothy grass (Phleum pratense)), Meadow grass (Poa pratensis), Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis), Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), False oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius), perennial rye (Lolium perenne), common velvet grass (Holcus lanatus), Redtop grass (Agrostis stolonifera), Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum. odoratum) and Cultivated Rye. Further, a study has shown cross-reactivity between group 5 allergens of cultivated rye (S. cereale, Sec c V) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Lol p 5).
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