The increased number of lymphocytes in airways during an asthmatic response is believed to be the result of increased recruitment of these cells. However, it is possible that a decreased apoptotic rate could also contribute to the increased number. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether allergen airway provocation influences the apoptotic phenotype of lung and peripheral blood ...

Methods The study was conducted at allergy center, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital & Research center, Bangalore from January 2011 – December 2011. Skin Prick Test was done in 139 patients suffering from bronchial asthma diagnosed based on GINA guidelines. Skin Prick Test was performed using 49 allergens extracts after taking informed consent from the patients. Allergen ...

BACKGROUND Atopic eczema is a common and distressing disease. This study aimed to review the age-dependent pattern of atopic sensitization to food and aeroallergens in patients with eczema by skin prick testing. METHODS The results of skin prick test (SPT), serum IgE, bronchial challenge test, and family history of atopy in eczema patients seen at a pediatric dermatology clinic were reviewed....

It has been demonstrated that spider mites such as the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are important allergens for fruit farmers. A total of 2,467 adults (795 metropolitan urban, 788 non-metropolitan urban, and 884 rural subjects) were enrolled. They responded to the questionnaire, and underwent methacholine bronchial provocation tests as well as skin prick tests to locally common...

The role of complement component C5 in asthma remains controversial. Here we examined the contribution of C5 at 3 critical checkpoints during the course of disease. Using an mAb specific for C5, we were able to evaluate the contribution of C5 during (a) the initiation of airway inflammation, (b) the maintenance of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and (c) sustainment of an ongoing airway respon...

Bradykinin (BK) is a peptide mediator generated at sites of inflammation and its effects are mediated through constitutively expressed B 2 receptor or through induction of B 1 receptors. We examined the role of these receptors in bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Brown-Norway rats sensitized with ovalbumin (OA) and Al(OH) 3 intraperitoneally, were exposed 3 wk later to either saline or OA ae...

BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the use of specific immunotherapy (SIT) for childhood seasonal allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine the efficacy and safety of SIT with Alutard SQ grass pollen (Phleum pratense Alutard SQ; ALK-Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) in children with seasonal allergic asthma. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the eff...

Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a hallmark of bronchial asthma. Important features of this exaggerated response to bronchoconstrictive stimuli have mostly been investigated in vivo in intact animals or in vitro in isolated tracheal or bronchial tissues. Both approaches have important advantages but also certain limitations. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop an ex vivo model of ...

There have been few longitudinal studies of bronchial responsiveness. We wanted to assess the long-term variability and associations of bronchial responsiveness in the general population. Spirometry, bronchial provocation tests, skin-prick tests for allergy, and respiratory symptom questionnaires were repeated every 4 months, for 2 years (August 1987-August 1989), in 122 volunteers recruited fr...