Saltwort (prickly), w11

Commonly grown weeds are rich sources of pollen and cause allergies in many people around the world. Russian thistle (Salsola kali), belonging to the family Amaranthaceae, which is well known for its allergenic potential. Thistle or salt thistle (prickly) pollen has come under the spotlight as serious allergens due to the extensive desertification caused by dramatic climate change over the past few years.

Russian thistle is common in dry, arid and semi-arid regions, although it has naturalized in regions of North America, Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia. Peak pollen counts are usually observed between August and September. A characteristic feature of the Russian thistle is the formation of "tumbleweeds" when ripe. Russian thistle pollen is considered the main aeroallergen in some regions. 

Being an aeroallergen, inhalation of thistle pollen leads to allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis. It exhibits a high level of cross-reactivity with other members of the Amaranthaceae family and with other species such as olive, kiwi, birch pollen, etc. Immunotherapy with allergens containing Russian thistle pollen extracts has proven to be an effective option for the treatment of allergic reactions caused by this pollen. 

Determination of specific IgE in human blood to - Saltwort, w11, shows the body's reaction to a given allergen. 

Research method: ImmunoCAP method (Immunofluorescence in the solid phase) 

Units of measurement: kU/l

Biomaterial for analysis: venous blood