[Biphasic allergic reactions in occupational bronchospastic diseases]

Allergological examinations are made on 79 workers (skin tests and inhalatory provocation) in contact with textile, wood and flour dust which complained of fit or permanent asthma. At skin testing 24 of 79 workers show positive early and late reaction, and 6--only positive late reaction. At inhalatory provocation 32 persons are positive at least to 2 indices of late reaction. The two-phase reaction of sensitivity to occupational allergens are frequent phenomenon in individuals with bronchospasm, because of the complex character of the occupational allergens and the generated by them immune responses. As a rule the late skin reactions are combined with delayed allergy at inhalatory provocation. In some cases a late allergy of III and IV type is established with exogenic alveolitis. The pathogenesis and the clinical importance of the two-phase reactions are discussed.