[Effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on granulocyte migration in vivo in patients with atopic asthma]

The study was carried out in 40 patients with atopic asthma, age 16-31 years (mean 26 years) and 30 healthy volunteers, age 19-25 years (mean 20 years). In vivo granulocyte migration tests were carried out simultaneously using two methods: Southam's and the authors' original (Matusiewicz, Brzezińska). The above mentioned tests were carried out twice: the first time in December/January, the second time February/March after subcutaneous administration of PAF. The authors have demonstrated that in patients with atopic asthma a defect in migration of tissue granulocytes is present. They have also shown that PAF does not effect significantly granulocyte migration in atopic patients.