Publications
Below you can find a list of our published research.
Below you can find a list of our published research.
38 results
The Science of the total environment, Volume 926, 9 2 2024, Pages 171575 Method to develop a regional guide for the allergenic potential of tree pollen. De Weger LA, Bakker-Jonges LE, De Groot H, Kuppen HHJM, Batenburg WW, Van Leeuwen A, Koenders M, Van Vliet AJH
Allergic rhinitis, caused by airborne pollen, is a common disease with a great impact on the quality of life for patients and high costs for society. Prevention of high pollen concentrations in the air is relevant for creating a safe environment for allergic patients. Due to climate change, the heat in cities during the summer is a recurring problem. The local climate can be improved by using the cooling properties of trees, providing shade and cooling by evapotranspiration. When deciding which... Abstract
Pediatric pulmonology, Volume 59, Issue 2, 8 2 2023, Pages 263-273 The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on PICU admissions for severe asthma exacerbations: A single-center experience. Bazdar S, van den Berg S, Rutjes NW, Bloemsma LD, Downward GS, De Weger LA, Terheggen-Lagro SWJ, van Wijck Y, Maitland van der Zee AH, Kapitein B
Background: The incidence of severe asthma exacerbations (SAE) requiring a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (and its association with public restrictions) is largely unknown. We examined the trend of SAE requiring PICU admission before, during, and after COVID-19 restrictions in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and its relationship with features such as environmental triggers and changes in COVID-19 restriction measures. Methods: I... Abstract
Cited 9 times since 2021 (3.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Science of the total environment, Volume 806, Issue Pt 1, 21 3 2021, Pages 150468 DNA metabarcoding using nrITS2 provides highly qualitative and quantitative results for airborne pollen monitoring. Polling M, Sin M, de Weger LA, Speksnijder AGCL, Koenders MJF, de Boer H, Gravendeel B
Airborne pollen monitoring is of global socio-economic importance as it provides information on presence and prevalence of allergenic pollen in ambient air. Traditionally, this task has been performed by microscopic investigation, but novel techniques are being developed to automate this process. Among these, DNA metabarcoding has the highest potential of increasing the taxonomic resolution, but uncertainty exists about whether the results can be used to quantify pollen abundance. In this study,... Abstract
Cited 3 times since 2021 (1.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Frontiers in allergy, Volume 2, 8 2 2021, Pages 676176 Long-Term Pollen Monitoring in the Benelux: Evaluation of Allergenic Pollen Levels and Temporal Variations of Pollen Seasons. de Weger LA, Bruffaerts N, Koenders MMJF, Verstraeten WW, Delcloo AW, Hentges P, Hentges F
Airborne pollen is a major cause of allergic rhinitis, affecting between 10 and 30% of the population in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux). Allergenic pollen is produced by wind pollinating plants and released in relatively low to massive amounts. Current climate changes, in combination with increasing urbanization, are likely to affect the presence of airborne allergenic pollen with respect to exposure intensity, timing as well as duration. Detailed analysis of long-term tempor... Abstract
Cited 7 times since 2021 (2.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Scientific reports, Volume 11, Issue 1, 31 5 2021, Pages 11357 Neural networks for increased accuracy of allergenic pollen monitoring. Polling M, Li C, Cao L, Verbeek F, de Weger LA, Belmonte J, De Linares C, Willemse J, de Boer H, Gravendeel B
Monitoring of airborne pollen concentrations provides an important source of information for the globally increasing number of hay fever patients. Airborne pollen is traditionally counted under the microscope, but with the latest developments in image recognition methods, automating this process has become feasible. A challenge that persists, however, is that many pollen grains cannot be distinguished beyond the genus or family level using a microscope. Here, we assess the use of Convolutional N... Abstract
Frontiers in allergy, Volume 2, 8 2 2021, Pages 628400 Personalized Pollen Monitoring and Symptom Scores: A Feasibility Study in Grass Pollen Allergic Patients. de Weger LA, van Hal PTW, Bos B, Molster F, Mostert M, Hiemstra PS
Background: Pollen is a major trigger for allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals. Airborne pollen is usually monitored by Hirst type pollen samplers located at rooftop level, providing a general overview of the pollen distribution in the larger surroundings. In this feasibility study, grass pollen-sensitized subjects monitored the pollen in their direct environment using a portable pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) and scored their symptoms, to study the relation between symptom severity and p... Abstract
Cited 10 times since 2021 (3.2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Science advances, Volume 7, Issue 13, 26 4 2021, Pages eabd7658 Predicting the severity of the grass pollen season and the effect of climate change in Northwest Europe. Kurganskiy A, Creer S, de Vere N, Griffith GW, Osborne NJ, Wheeler BW, McInnes RN, Clewlow Y, Barber A, Brennan GL, Hanlon HM, Hegarty M, Potter C, Rowney F, Adams-Groom B, Petch GM, Pashley CH, Satchwell J, de Weger LA, Rasmussen K, Oliver G, Sindt C, Bruffaerts N, PollerGEN Consortium, Skjøth CA
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation in the nose caused by overreaction of the immune system to allergens in the air. Managing allergic rhinitis symptoms is challenging and requires timely intervention. The following are major questions often posed by those with allergic rhinitis: How should I prepare for the forthcoming season? How will the season's severity develop over the years? No country yet provides clear guidance addressing these questions. We propose two previously unexplored appro... Abstract
Cited 43 times since 2020 (11.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Science of the total environment, Volume 749, 13 2 2020, Pages 141676 An emerging class of air pollutants: Potential effects of microplastics to respiratory human health? Amato-Lourenço LF, Dos Santos Galvão L, de Weger LA, Hiemstra PS, Vijver MG, Mauad T
It is increasingly recognized that the ubiquity of convenient single-use plastic has resulted in a global plastic pollution challenge, with substantial environmental and health consequences. Physical, chemical, and biological processes result in plastic weathering, with eventual formation of debris in the micro to nano size range. There is an increasing awareness that plastic fragments are dispersed in the air and can be inhaled by humans, which may cause adverse effects on the respiratory syste... Abstract
Cited 4 times since 2020 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Science of the total environment, Volume 741, 20 3 2020, Pages 140404 A new portable sampler to monitor pollen at street level in the environment of patients. de Weger LA, Molster F, de Raat K, den Haan J, Romein J, van Leeuwen W, de Groot H, Mostert M, Hiemstra PS
Allergic rhinitis caused by pollen exposure is one of the most common allergic diseases. Therefore monitoring pollen levels in ambient air is an important tool in research and health care. Most European monitoring stations collect airborne pollen at rooftop levels for measurements in the larger surrounding of the sampling station, and not in the direct environment of sensitized subjects. Here we present the development and evaluation of a portable pollen sampler, called "Pollensniffer"... Abstract
Cited 18 times since 2020 (4.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nature communications, Volume 11, Issue 1, 21 3 2020, Pages 1745 Biological weed control to relieve millions from Ambrosia allergies in Europe. Schaffner U, Steinbach S, Sun Y, Skjøth CA, de Weger LA, Lommen ST, Augustinus BA, Bonini M, Karrer G, Šikoparija B, Thibaudon M, Müller-Schärer H
Invasive alien species (IAS) can substantially affect ecosystem services and human well-being. However, quantitative assessments of their impact on human health are rare and the benefits of implementing IAS management likely to be underestimated. Here we report the effects of the allergenic plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia on public health in Europe and the potential impact of the accidentally introduced leaf beetle Ophraella communa on the number of patients and healthcare costs. We find that, pri... Abstract
Cited 4 times since 2019 (0.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Science of the total environment, Volume 663, 18 3 2019, Pages 527-536 Oak pollen seasonality and severity across Europe and modelling the season start using a generalized phenological model. Grundström M, Adams-Groom B, Pashley CH, Dahl Å, Rasmussen K, de Weger LA, Thibaudon M, Fernández-Rodríguez S, Silva-Palacios I, Skjøth CA
Oak pollen seasons are relatively unexplored in large parts of Europe despite producing allergens and being a common tree in both continental and northern parts. Many studies are concentrated only on the Iberian Peninsula. In this study, the seasonal pattern of oak pollen in Europe was analysed using 10 observation sites, ranging from Spain to Sweden. The magnitude of peaks and annual pollen integral together with season-length were studied and substantially higher pollen levels and longer seaso... Abstract
Cited 17 times since 2016 (2.3 per year) source: EuropePMC
Aerobiologia, Volume 33, Issue 2, 17 3 2016, Pages 181-189 Spatial and temporal variations in airborne <i>Ambrosia</i> pollen in Europe. Sikoparija B, Skjøth CA, Celenk S, Testoni C, Abramidze T, Alm Kübler K, Belmonte J, Berger U, Bonini M, Charalampopoulos A, Damialis A, Clot B, Dahl Å, de Weger LA, Gehrig R, Hendrickx M, Hoebeke L, Ianovici N, Kofol Seliger A, Magyar D, Mányoki G, Milkovska S, Myszkowska D, Páldy A, Pashley CH, Rasmussen K, Ritenberga O, Rodinkova V, Rybníček O, Shalaboda V, Šaulienė I, Ščevková J, Stjepanović B, Thibaudon M, Verstraeten C, Vokou D, Yankova R, Smith M
The European Commission Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FA1203 "SMARTER" aims to make recommendations for the sustainable management of Ambrosia across Europe and for monitoring its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The goal of the present study is to provide a baseline for spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe that can be used for the management and evaluation of this noxious plant. The study covers the full range of Ambrosia artemi... Abstract
Cited 8 times since 2016 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
International journal of biometeorology, Volume 60, Issue 12, 27 4 2016, Pages 1829-1839 The long distance transport of airborne Ambrosia pollen to the UK and the Netherlands from Central and south Europe. de Weger LA, Pashley CH, Šikoparija B, Skjøth CA, Kasprzyk I, Grewling Ł, Thibaudon M, Magyar D, Smith M
The invasive alien species Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common or short ragweed) is increasing its range in Europe. In the UK and the Netherlands, airborne concentrations of Ambrosia pollen are usually low. However, more than 30 Ambrosia pollen grains per cubic metre of air (above the level capable to trigger allergic symptoms) were recorded in Leicester (UK) and Leiden (NL) on 4 and 5 September 2014. The aims of this study were to determine whether the highly allergenic Ambrosia pollen recorded dur... Abstract
Cited 25 times since 2015 (2.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
NPJ primary care respiratory medicine, Volume 25, 8 2 2015, Pages 14107 The minimal clinically important difference of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT): cross-cultural validation and relation with pollen counts. van der Leeuw S, van der Molen T, Dekhuijzen PN, Fonseca JA, van Gemert FA, Gerth van Wijk R, Kocks JW, Oosterom H, Riemersma RA, Tsiligianni IG, de Weger LA, Oude Elberink JN, Flokstra-de Blok BM
Background: The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) monitors control of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Aims: To determine the CARAT's minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch CARAT. Methods: CARAT was applied in three measurements at 1-month intervals. Patients diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis were approached. MCID was evaluated using Global Rating of Change (GRC) and standard error of measurement (s.e.m.).... Abstract
Cited 5 times since 2014 (0.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
PloS one, Volume 9, Issue 8, 18 3 2014, Pages e104774 Region-specific sensitivity of anemophilous pollen deposition to temperature and precipitation. Donders TH, Hagemans K, Dekker SC, de Weger LA, de Klerk P, Wagner-Cremer F
Understanding relations between climate and pollen production is important for several societal and ecological challenges, importantly pollen forecasting for pollinosis treatment, forensic studies, global change biology, and high-resolution palaeoecological studies of past vegetation and climate fluctuations. For these purposes, we investigate the role of climate variables on annual-scale variations in pollen influx, test the regional consistency of observed patterns, and evaluate the potential... Abstract
Cited 49 times since 2014 (5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Molecular ecology resources, Volume 15, Issue 1, 17 3 2014, Pages 8-16 Efficient and sensitive identification and quantification of airborne pollen using next-generation DNA sequencing. Kraaijeveld K, de Weger LA, Ventayol García M, Buermans H, Frank J, Hiemstra PS, den Dunnen JT
Pollen monitoring is an important and widely used tool in allergy research and creation of awareness in pollen-allergic patients. Current pollen monitoring methods are microscope-based, labour intensive and cannot identify pollen to the genus level in some relevant allergenic plant groups. Therefore, a more efficient, cost-effective and sensitive method is needed. Here, we present a method for identification and quantification of airborne pollen using DNA sequencing. Pollen is collected from amb... Abstract
Cited 14 times since 2014 (1.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Allergy, Volume 69, Issue 8, 3 1 2014, Pages 1085-1091 Spatiotemporal monitoring of allergic rhinitis symptoms in The Netherlands using citizen science. de Weger LA, Hiemstra PS, Op den Buysch E, van Vliet AJ
Background: Airborne pollen is a major symptom trigger in allergic rhinitis patients, but the impact of pollen differs among patients and regions and is influenced by environmental factors. To study these complex relationships, there is a need for data on the severity of symptoms in space and time. 'Citizen science' is increasingly recognized as an effective tool to monitor changes in our environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a citizen science-based s... Abstract
Cited 11 times since 2013 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
International journal of biometeorology, Volume 58, Issue 6, 20 3 2013, Pages 1047-1055 Development and validation of a 5-day-ahead hay fever forecast for patients with grass-pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. de Weger LA, Beerthuizen T, Hiemstra PS, Sont JK
One-third of the Dutch population suffers from allergic rhinitis, including hay fever. In this study, a 5-day-ahead hay fever forecast was developed and validated for grass pollen allergic patients in the Netherlands. Using multiple regression analysis, a two-step pollen and hay fever symptom prediction model was developed using actual and forecasted weather parameters, grass pollen data and patient symptom diaries. Therefore, 80 patients with a grass pollen allergy rated the severity of their h... Abstract
Cited 95 times since 2012 (7.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
PloS one, Volume 7, Issue 4, 13 2 2012, Pages e34076 Changes to airborne pollen counts across Europe. Ziello C, Sparks TH, Estrella N, Belmonte J, Bergmann KC, Bucher E, Brighetti MA, Damialis A, Damialis A, Detandt M, Galán C, Gehrig R, Grewling L, Gutiérrez Bustillo AM, Hallsdóttir M, Kockhans-Bieda MC, De Linares C, Myszkowska D, Pàldy A, Sánchez A, Smith M, Thibaudon M, Travaglini A, Uruska A, Valencia-Barrera RM, Vokou D, Wachter R, de Weger LA, Menzel A
A progressive global increase in the burden of allergic diseases has affected the industrialized world over the last half century and has been reported in the literature. The clinical evidence reveals a general increase in both incidence and prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (common hay fever) and asthma. Such phenomena may be related not only to air pollution and changes in lifestyle, but also to an actual increase in airborne quantities of allergenic pollen. Experim... Abstract
Cited 13 times since 2011 (1.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Clinical and translational allergy, Volume 1, Issue 1, 21 3 2011, Pages 18 Difference in symptom severity between early and late grass pollen season in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. de Weger LA, Beerthuizen T, Gast-Strookman JM, van der Plas DT, Terreehorst I, Hiemstra PS, Sont JK
Background: For the development of forecasts for seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms, it is essential to understand the relationship between grass pollen concentrations and the symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to delineate this relationship between seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms and grass pollen concentrations in the Netherlands. Methods: Grass pollen allergic patients (n = 80 [2007] - 84 [2008]) were enrolled into the study. They were asked t... Abstract