Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy

We have investigated the Taxus cuspidata pollinosis that has never been studied before. We applied immunoblotting method in order to detect specific IgE antibody against T. cuspidata using its pollen itself. Out of 18 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis suffering mainly in April and May, 5 patients were sensitized with this pollen. Furthermore, we were able to diagnose one case as T. cuspidata pollinosis from the clinical and laboratory findings. While the birch pollen is the main causative pollen in the spring, T. cuspidata is one of the minor allergens causing pollinosis in our district.