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Ellis AK, Steacy LM, Hobsbawn B, et al. Clinical validation of controlled grass pollen challenge in the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU). Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015;11(1):5doi: 10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3.
Ellis, A. K., Steacy, L. M., Hobsbawn, B., Conway, C. E., & Walker, T. J. (2015). Clinical validation of controlled grass pollen challenge in the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU). Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 11(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3
Ellis, Anne K, et al. "Clinical validation of controlled grass pollen challenge in the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU)." Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology vol. 11,1 (2015): 5. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3
Ellis AK, Steacy LM, Hobsbawn B, Conway CE, Walker TJ. Clinical validation of controlled grass pollen challenge in the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU). Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan 27;11(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3. eCollection 2015. PMID: 25653682; PMCID: PMC4316395.
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Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan 27;11(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3. eCollection 2015.

Clinical validation of controlled grass pollen challenge in the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU).

Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Anne K Ellis, Lisa M Steacy, Barnaby Hobsbawn, Caroline E Conway, Terry Jb Walker

Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON Canada ; Allergy Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2 V7 Canada.
  2. Allergy Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2 V7 Canada.

PMID: 25653682 PMCID: PMC4316395 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-015-0071-3

Abstract

RATIONALE: The Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU), a controlled allergen exposure model of allergic rhinitis (AR), has traditionally utilized ragweed pollen. We sought to clinically validate the use of grass pollen in the EEU.

METHODS: Healthy volunteers with a history of AR symptoms during grass pollen season and supportive skin test responses attended the EEU for 3 hrs of rye grass pollen exposure (Lolium Perenne). Non-atopic controls were also recruited. Participants assessed individual rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms to generate Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS; max 12) and Total Symptom Score (TSS; max 24) and recorded Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) q30min while in the EEU. Participants returned the following day for an additional 3 hrs of pollen exposure. Two separate groups allowed for the exploration of lower vs. higher pollen concentrations and subsequent effects on symptoms.

RESULTS: 78 participants were screened, of whom 39 were eligible and attended the 2x3h EEU visits, plus 8 non-atopic controls. Mean TSS, TNSS and PNIF values amongst participants in the higher pollen concentration group (target 3500 grains/m3) after the first 3 hr exposure were 18.9, 9.7 and 68 L/min, respectively. In comparison, mean TSS, TNSS and PNIF values in the lower pollen concentration (2500 grains/m3) group were only 13.3, 7.6, and 82 L/min, respectively. The subsequent day of pollen exposure did not appreciably alter the maximal TSS/TNSSs, but rather resulted in a more rapid onset of symptomatology, with higher mean scores at the 30 min, 60 min and 90 min timepoints. The non-atopic controls remained asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clinical validation of the ability to generate allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms amongst grass-allergic individuals in the EEU.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Controlled allergen challenge; Environmental exposure unit; Grass pollen

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