ABSTRACT
290 asthmatic patients with positive skin tests for mould allergens were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between skin test and inhalative provocation test was investigated with regard to single allergens and polyvalent mould sensitivity. With 4 commercially available moulds the relationship between skin test, provocation test and RAST was investigated too. Alternaria alternata occupies a special position. Tests with Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium notatum, Fusarium culmorum, Aspergilus fumigatus and Cladosporium herbarum showed the highest correlation correlation with clinical allergy. Allergic asthmatic patients are in about 10% sensitive for moulds. Penicillia tend to crossreaction; for other moulds no preferential combinations were found. Provocative inhalation tests have to be performed, if mould sensitivity is suspected. At present the results of RAST are mostly of no decisive diagnostic value.
Subject(s)
Allergens , Asthma/diagnosis , Fungi , Bronchial Provocation Tests , Humans , Radioallergosorbent Test , Skin TestsABSTRACT
A constitutional factor, an imbalance of cAMP/cGMP, a disturbance of adenylcyclase and a vegetative dysregulation influence the allergic type I reaction. An unspecific hyperreactivity of the bronchial system plays an important role in the asthmatic genesis. Own experiments with acetylcholine and anticholinergic drugs are described. The deduction that the complement system participates in bronchial asthma is likely from own in vivo and in vitro experiments.
Subject(s)
Asthma/immunology , Complement System Proteins/metabolism , Asthma/genetics , Asthma/prevention & control , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , Cyclic GMP/metabolism , Humans , Ipratropium/therapeutic use , Mast Cells/metabolism , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/metabolismABSTRACT
Conclusions for pollinosis: 1. RAST is not necessary for the diagnosis when history and skin tests are characteristic. 2. If RAST is indicated (e.g. small children, urticaria factitia, eczema) tests with two or three grasses or a grass-mixture are sufficient. 3. RAST classes 1 and 2 have no diagnostic value. 4. If skin tests give no clearcut results provocation tests are preferable to RAST.
Subject(s)
Radioallergosorbent Test/standards , Radioimmunoassay/standards , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Allergens , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Skin TestsABSTRACT
The authors describe an easy and fast way of nose provocation (aerosol provocation combined with passive anterior rhinomanometry). A comparative study between skin tests, lungprovocations and noseprovocations proves the usefulness of the method.
Subject(s)
Respiratory Function Tests/methods , Adolescent , Aerosols , Allergens , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Lung/physiopathology , Nose/physiopathology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Skin Tests , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
The authors make a comparative study in 55 CNLSD children and 10 healthy children. In all those children, provocation tests were performed as wel at the level of the skin, as at the level of the lung and nose. The provocation tests were performed with the following allergens: house dust, mites, human dander and pollen, and with histamine. Only in the control group (10 healthy children) no lung provocations with histamine were done. From the investigation follows that skin tests are not always reliable. Furthermore, in many cases a nose provocation test (combination of aerosole. Furthermore, in many cases a nose provocation test (combination of aerosol provocation with a allergen and PAR rhinomanometry) can replace a lung provocation test.
