ABSTRACT

Against a backdrop of increasing pollen allergy prevalence, this paper reviews the current state of knowledge of allergenic pollen loading in New Zealand. An unavoidable conclusion is that relevant available datasets are fragmentary, incomplete and out-of-date, with the last nationwide survey conducted >30 years ago. In contrast, many other developed regions continue to provide routine, standardised pollen reporting and forecasting to assist with the management and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and related diseases, which affect a large proportion of the population. The data also inform wider research including investigating allergic rhinitis co-association with other health issues and monitoring and projecting the impacts of climate change on pollen production and dispersal; fundamental biological processes that underpin most life on Earth. New Zealand is lagging well behind other regions in realising these benefits by failing to implement a programme of routine aeroallergen monitoring at major population centres. The data generated would also help to answer some pressing questions in relation to respiratory disorder in New Zealand and in particular whether the timing and severity of key pollen allergens are changing and new sources are establishing as a result of climate change.

摘要

在花粉过敏患病率不断上升的背景下，本文回顾了新西兰目前对过敏性花粉负荷的认识。一个不可避免的结论是，相关的可用数据集是零碎的、不完整的和过时的，上一次全国性调查是在 30 多年前进行的。相比之下，许多其他发达地区继续提供常规、标准化的花粉报告和预测，以协助管理和治疗影响大部分人口的季节性过敏性鼻炎和相关疾病。这些数据还为更广泛的研究提供了信息，包括调查过敏性鼻炎与其他健康问题的关联，以及监测和预测气候变化对花粉产生和传播的影响；支撑地球上大多数生命的基本生物过程。由于未能在主要人口中心实施常规空气过敏原监测计划，新西兰在实现这些好处方面远远落后于其他地区。生成的数据还将有助于回答与新西兰呼吸系统疾病相关的一些紧迫问题，特别是关键花粉过敏原的时间和严重程度是否正在发生变化，以及由于气候变化而正在建立新的来源。