Asthma and increases in nonallergic bronchial responsiveness from seasonal pollen exposure

doi:10.1016/0091-6749(83)90069-6

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Volume 71, Issue 4, April 1983, Pages 399-406

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(83)90069-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

Serial measurements of symptoms, peak flow rates, methacholine bronchial responsiveness, and ragweed-specific IgE antibodies were made before and during the ragweed pollen season in 13 sensitized subjects. Allergen inhalation tests were carried out with aerosols of pollen extract out of season in nine subjects; isolated early asthmatic responses were provoked in four, and dual responses (early followed by late) were provoked in five. During the pollen season all subjects developed hay fever and eight had symptoms of asthma. There was a real increase in methacholine responsiveness during the ragweed season. This increase appeared before or after the occurrence of asthma symptoms and changes in flow rates and was greater in subjects with symptoms in the pollen season, dual responses after allergen inhalation tests, and higher levels of ragweed-specific IgE antibodies. The results confirm the occurrence of seasonal asthma and increases in nonallergic (nonspecific) bronchial responsiveness to methacholine from seasonal pollen exposure. They suggest that the occurrence of symptoms is closely linked to the allergic inflammatory reaction and the induction of increased nonallergic responsiveness.

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^☆: Supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada.

^∗: Fellow of the Medical Research Council of Canada.

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Original articleAsthma and increases in nonallergic bronchial responsiveness from seasonal pollen exposure☆

Abstract

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Chest

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Lancet

Am J Med

On the quantity of pollen found floating in the atmosphere during the prevalence of hay fever and its relation to the intensity of the symptoms

Changes in histamine and atropine responsiveness as a guide to diagnosis and evaluation of therapy in obstructive airways disease

Allergen-induced increase in non-allergic bronchial reactivity

Clin Allergy

Inhalational challenge with ragweed pollen in ragweed-sensitive asthmatics

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Comment

Deposition of inhaled pollen and pollen extract in human airways

N Engl J Med

Penetration of inhaled pollen into the respiratory tract

Am Rev Respir Dis

Original article
Asthma and increases in nonallergic bronchial responsiveness from seasonal pollen exposure☆