Objective To study the genera and seasonal distribution of airborne pollen in Hubei province of China

and its relationship with pollinosis. Methods From November 2003 to October 2004

an airborne pollen investigation was performed in 16 chosen areas in 12 cities of Hubei province using gravity sedimentation technique. Meanwhile

univalent skin prick tests of pollens were performed and the invasion season was studied on 2 300 patients with pollinosis. Among them

352 cases underwent the airway responsiveness measurements

and the correlation between airway responsiveness and results of pollen count was analyzed. Results A total of 61 pollen genera were observed and 257 520 pollens were collected. The peak of airborne pollen distribution occurred in two seasons each year: spring （March and April） and autumn （from August to October）. The attack of pollinosis corresponded to the peak of pollen distribution. There was a significantly negative relationship between the provocation dose causing a 20% decrease of forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1） from baseline and airborne pollen concentration （r = -0.6829

P < 0.05）. Conclusion This study provides useful information for airborne pollen epidemiology of Hubei province

and it provides important insights to clinical prevention

diagnosis

and treatment of pollen-related allergic diseases.