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Does basophil releasability contribute to bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma?
Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|March 1, 1987
Summary
The basophil degranulation test showed positive results in half of atopic asthma patients. This test did not correlate with airway hyperresponsiveness, suggesting it may not be a reliable indicator for asthma severity.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Atopic asthma involves airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
- Basophil degranulation is a marker of allergic inflammation.
- Assessing basophil degranulation's utility in asthma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of the basophil degranulation test in atopic asthma.
- To investigate the correlation between basophil degranulation and airway hyperresponsiveness (PC20).
Main Methods:
- Conducted histamine inhalation tests and polymyxin B-stimulated basophil degranulation tests.
- Included 21 patients diagnosed with atopic asthma.
- Measured provocative concentration of histamine (PC20) to assess airway hyperresponsiveness.
Main Results:
- Basophil degranulation occurred in vitro in 11 out of 21 (52%) atopic asthma patients.
- Positive degranulation test results were observed with similar frequency in patients with high and low PC20.
- No significant correlation was found between PC20 values and the magnitude of basophil degranulation (r = 0.09).
Conclusions:
- Basophil degranulation in vitro may indicate allergic sensitization in some atopic asthma patients.
- The magnitude of basophil degranulation does not correlate with the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness in this cohort.
- Further research is needed to clarify the clinical utility of basophil degranulation tests in managing atopic asthma.