[The effect of specific immunotherapy on bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Wplyw immunoterapii swoistej na nadreaktywnosc oskrzeli u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

The aim of the paper was to answer the question, weather specific immunotherapy affected bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic patients. The authors used their own results of specific immunotherapy studies and those found in the literature. From these data the following conclusions were formulated: 1. Specific immunotherapy decreases specific bronchial hyperreactivity. The improvement is seen both in the early and late asthmatic reactions. 2. No significant effects of specific immunotherapy on nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity were found. 3. In order to find an unequivocal answer to the question above multicenter studies on a representative group of patients based on the same protocol and lasting for at least 5 years are necessary.

[The effect of local specific bronchial immunotherapy (LIT) on specific and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with bronchial asthma sensitive to housedust mites]. / Wplyw dooskrzelowej immunoterapii swoistej (LIT) na swoista i nieswoista nadreaktywnosc oskrzeli u chorych na astme oskrzelowa uczulonych na roztocza kurzu domowego.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of LIT with mite allergens given by dry powder inhalation on bronchial hyperreactivity after histamine and allergen inhalation in patients suffering from atopic mite asthma. The study was conducted in a group of 17 asthmatics (9 patients Hypoinhal Dermatophagoides, 8 patients placebo). A decrease in specific (early asthmatic reaction during specific bronchial provocation test) and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity has been revealed in the group treated with Hypoinhal Dermatophagoides. No changes were observed in placebo group. A slight improvement in LAR (late asthmatic reaction during specific bronchial provocation test) was observed, but the results were not statistically significant.

[The effect of sputum induction on spirometry parameters in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Wplyw indukcji plwociny na parametry spirometryczne u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

Evaluation of differential cell count and biochemical parameters in sputum seems to be a valuable method in asthma studies. The purpose of the paper was to evaluate the effects of sputum induction alone and after fenoterol and salmeterol premedication, on spirometry in asthma patients. The another aim of the study was to observe the correlation between bronchial hyperreactivity and decreases in FEV1 and MEF50 in asthmatics during sputum induction. The studies were carried out on 20 mild to moderate asthma patients (FEV1 baseline 79 +/- 16% of the predicted values) who inhaled an increasing concentration of hypertonic saline (3%, 4% and 5%), using an ultrasonic nebuliser. The forced expiratory volume in one second and MEF50, as the good indicators of bronchial obturation, were evaluated. During the sputum induction significant decreases in FEV1 and MEF50 were observed, which were proportional to the concentration of NaCl. After inhalation of 3% of NaCl the mean of FEV1 was 87.2 +/- 12.7% of the baseline, after 4%--84.3 +/- 16.9% and 5%--77.4 +/- 19.8%. No significant correlation between bronchial hyperreactivity and the induced decreases in FEV1 and MEF50 were found. Fenoterol and salmeterol fully prevented bronchial obturation during sputum induction.

[The efficacy of a new medication -- intranasal glucocorticoid mometasone furoate (Nasonex) -- in seasonal allergic rhinitis]. / Skutecznosc nowego preparatu steroidowego Nasonex-aerozol w leczeniu sezonowego, alergicznego niezytu nosa.

The aim of this open study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new topical corticosteroid Nasonex (mometasone furoate) in allergic, seasonal rhinitis. The investigations were carried out on 30 patients with proven grass pollen allergy. Nasonex was administered intranasally during the pollen season, in a single dose 200 micrograms. During the 3 subsequent visits nasal and nonnasal symptom (total and individual) scores and patient reaction to the treatment were evaluated. Rhinomanometry and number of eosinophils in nasal smear were calculated before and after the treatment. Complete or marked relief of symptoms was observed in 24 patients, moderate improvement in 4 patients and no positive reaction in 2 cases. Nasonex markedly inhibited eosinophil influx to the nasal mucosa. No adverse reaction was observed during 2-week Nasonex treatment. We conclude that Nasonex aerosol is a very effective and well tolerated drug in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.