Abstract: Objective To investigate the classification of airborne pollens that cause pollinosis, the amounts of airborne pollens in spring in Qingdao west district were measured and their relationship with pollinosis was examined. Methods Airborne pollens were collected using the gravity precipitation method by Yes sampler from March to June in 2015. In addition, 126 patients were diagnosed with spring pollinosis on the basis of results of intradermal skin tests and specific intranasal provocation tests with pollen allergens. Results A total of 7486 pollen grains were collected from March to June in 2015. Most of the pollens collected were of Pinus, followed by Broussonetia, Betula, Broussonetia, and Populus. The skin test results showed that the highest positivity rate was that for the pollen of Platanus(38.10%), followed by Poplar(35.72%), Pinus(32.53%), and Betula(30.16%). These woody pollens were major allergenic pollens in spring in the west district of Qingdao city. Among the 126 cases of spring pollinosis, 43(34.13%)were complicated with asthma, 89(70.63%)cases were associated with allergic conjunctivitis and 1(0.79%)had a severe allergic reaction(anaphylaxis). Conclusion The main sensitized pollens in spring in the western part of Qingdao are those of Platycladus, Populus, Pinus, and Betula, which are the main causes of spring pollinosis.

Key words: Airborne pollens, Spring pollinosis, Asthma