Birch Rust Spore Exposure and Upper Airway Symptom Dynamics in a Subarctic Region: Indications for a Novel… | ScholarDeck

Paper

Birch Rust Spore Exposure and Upper Airway Symptom Dynamics in a Subarctic Region: Indications for a Novel Seasonal Allergen.

New research · Internal Medicine

Clinical and translational allergy · 3w

Cohort studyClinical and translational allergy· Aug 2026

Birch Rust Spore Exposure and Upper Airway Symptom Dynamics in a Subarctic Region: Indications for a Novel Seasonal Allergen.

Randi Falnes Olsen, Kristian Svendsen, Thorsten Graf … Martin Sørensen

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Allergy & ImmunologyCohort studyDiagnosisQ1IF 3.5

Birch rust spore season linked to worse airway symptom severity in allergic patients

Birch Rust Spore Exposure and Upper Airway Symptom Dynamics in a Subarctic Region: Indications for a Novel Seasonal Allergen.

Randi Falnes Olsen … Martin Sørensen

Clinical and translational allergy · Aug 2026 · Q1 in Immunology & Allergy

Background

Airway allergies affect 20%-30% of the global population, with pollen and fungal spores representing major environmental triggers.

Methods

In this prospective study, 160 patients and 94 controls were followed during birch rust season (Aug-Oct) and out of season (Jan-Feb).

n = 160 patients

1.58

Results

1.58

symptom scores were higher in patients than controls during spore season

n = 160 patients

More results

1.1% of controls (p < 0.001).

Symptom worsening was associated with reported proximity to birch forests (regression coefficient 0.46, p < 0.01, R 2 = 0.48).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Birch rust spore exposure was associated with increased autumnal airway symptoms, suggesting that birch rust may represent an underrecognized trigger.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings highlight the need for further research, including allergen-specific testing and dispersal modelling, to clarify their clinical relevance.

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