t5 American beech
Allergens within Tree Pollens
- Latin name: Fagus grandifolia
- Family: Fagaceae
- Source material: Pollen
A tree species producing large amounts of pollen, which may induce hayfever, asthma and conjunctivitis in sensitised individuals.
Allergen Exposure
Geographical distribution
American Beech is a tall deciduous tree normally growing 20-25 m tall. Trees up to 40 m have been recorded. Beech can live to over 300 years old. The bark is blue-grey and the leaves are yellow-green during the growing season. The fruit is a bur, usually containing two nuts.
Commonly found in northeastern America, it is the only Beech tree native to the US. The southern Beeches belong to the genus Nothofagus. American Beech occurs occasionally in woods and is sometimes cultivated, but not successfully in Europe, where this species is replaced with Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
The Beech flowers in late spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, Beech pollen season extends from April to May. Beech trees are wind-pollinated. Beech pollen closely resembles oak pollen in morphology. Beeches begin producing seed when 40 years old, producing large quantities by 60 years of age. Seed is produced at 2- to 8-year intervals.
Beechnuts, called 'mast' in England, are valued for feeding farm animals and may be roasted and eaten by humans or used a coffee substitute.
Potential Cross-Reactivity
High cross-reactivity is often found among different species within the same family. There is a relatively high degree of cross-reactivity between species of the family Fagaceae (1), and an extensive cross-reactivity within the genus Fagus has been demonstrated (2). Partial identity between the major allergens of birch, Beech, alder, hazel and oak pollen extract has been demonstrated by means of, among others, in vitro specific IgE tests (3).
Clinical Experience
IgE mediated reactions
In studies on patients with seasonal rhinitis, it was found that birch, Beech, alder, hazel, bog-myrtle and oak pollens are most important as causes of springtime hay fever. (4-5) However, Beech pollen does not play the most significant role in causing hay fever.
Rhinitis and asthma caused by exposure to Beech wood dust in wood workers has also been described (6-7). Furthermore, exposure to Beech dust may lead to the development of sore throat and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (8).
Other reactions
Occupational contact allergy from Beech wood has been described (9).
References:
- Yman L. Botanical relations and immunological cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. 1982: ISBN 91-970475-09
- Eriksson NE, Wihl JA, Arrendal H, Strandhede SO. Tree pollen allergy. III. Cross reactions based on results from skin prick tests and the RAST in hay fever patients. A multi-centre study. Allergy 1987 Apr;42(3):205-214
- Jung K, Schlenvoigt G, Jager L. Allergologic-immunochemical study of tree and bush pollen. III--Cross reactions of human IgE antibodies with various tree pollen allergens. [German] Allerg Immunol (Leipz) 1987;33(4):223-230
- Jung K, Schlenvoigt G, Jager L. Allergologic-immunochemical study of tree and bush pollen. II--Study of the sensitization spectrum of patients with seasonal rhinitis in the spring. Allerg Immunol 1987;33(4):215-21
- Eriksson NE. Allergy to pollen from different deciduous trees in Sweden. An investigation with skin tests, provocation tests and the RAST in springtime hay fever patients. Allergy 1978;33(6):299-309
- De Zotti R, Gubian F. Asthma and rhinitis in wooding workers. Allergy Asthma Proc 1996;17(4):199-203
- Hernandez M, Sanchez-Hernandez MC, Moreno V, Guardia P, et al. Occupational rhinitis caused by beech wood dust. Allergy 1999 Apr;54(4):405-406
- Bohadana AB, Massin N, Wild P, Toamain JP, Engel S, Goutet P. Symptoms, airway responsiveness, and exposure to dust in beech and oak wood workers. Occup Environ Med 2000 Apr;57(4):268-273
- Rasanen L, Jolanki R, Estlander T, Kanerva L. Occupational contact allergy from beechwood. Contact Dermatitis 1998 Jan;38(1):55
2002