the relationship between mycoplasma pneumoniae (mp) infection and asthma has rarely been explored through examination of airway reactivity. the aim of this study was to determine airway reactivity changes after mp infection in children. first, 106 children were divided into four groups according to the existence of mp infection and/or asthma. then children with only mp belonged to the mp group;...

This study was concerned with the correlation between skin test, bronchial provocation test, and histamine release from leucocytes and the serum level of total and allergen-specific IgE in patients atopic to house-dust mite allergen (Dermatophagiodes pteronyssinus) as measured by an intracutaneous skin test. It is concluded that, assuming a positive provocation test to be evidence of allergy, e...

BACKGROUND Asymptomatic sensitization is a frequent condition that must be considered before the indication of allergic-specific immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to appreciate and correlate the local and spirometric changes elicited by the allergen-specific nasal provocation test (NPT) to define practical and feasible guidelines for the allergist/immunologist to demonstrate ...

BACKGROUND Fractional exhaled nitric oxide is elevated in allergen-provoked asthma. The cellular and molecular source of the elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide is, however, uncertain. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide is associated with increased airway epithelial inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in allergen-provoked asthma. METHODS Fractional exha...

The mechanisms linking inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic bronchial asthma are still not completely defined. Since neurotrophic factors increase nerve excitability and neurotransmitter synthesis and are produced by immunocompetent cells, they are likely candidates as mediators of inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. We tested the hypothesis that neurotrophin concentrations...

OBJECTIVE To identify the allergen(s) responsible for mid April-mid May nasobronchial allergy seen in North India. DESIGN Case control study. SETTING Children living in and around Chandigarh (urban, rural). SUBJECTS 39 children suffering from wheat harvest period (mid April-mid May) respiratory allergy along with randomly selected controls. METHODS Aerobiological surveys were done from ...

Long-term treatment with inhaled beta 2-agonists may be associated with a deterioration in asthma control, potentially due to tolerance. Regular use of short-acting beta 2-agonists has been shown to induce tolerance to allergen or adenosine 5'-monophosphate challenge. The aim of the study was to detect the efficacy of a single dose and a short-term treatment with salmeterol, a long-acting beta ...