Maira Bonini

Abstract Different herbaceous plant species release allergenic pollen that can have adverse effects on human health. Climate change, which alters plant physiology and phenology, can affect airborne pollen levels, increasing the risk for allergy sufferers.

For people with asthma and rhino-conjunctivitis, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) can reduce symptoms cause by exposure to specific allergens. Few studies have explored the possible correlation between the concentration of ragweed pollen and the severity of both rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma. To explore this knowledge gap, biologist Maira Bonini and colleagues conducted a study based out of the North-West Metropolitan area bordering the city of Milan, known for its high ragweed infestation.

Abstract Background Information about airborne pollen concentrations is required by a range of end users, particularly from the health sector who use both observations and forecasts to diagnose and treat allergic patients. Manual methods are the standard for such measurements but, despite the range of pollen taxa that can be identified, these techniques suffer from a range of drawbacks.