Neutrophil chemotactic activity in milk-induced asthma

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Investigation

Background:

• Investigating milk-induced asthma in patients with negative standard allergy tests.
• Understanding the immunological mechanisms behind non-specific food-induced asthma.

Observation:

• Four subjects with milk-induced asthma showed negative skin prick tests, RAST, and serum precipitins.
• Milk ingestion triggered dose-dependent airflow limitation in all subjects.
• Three subjects exhibited immediate asthmatic reactions with elevated neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA), while one had an isolated late-phase response without NCA elevation.

Findings:

• Immediate asthmatic responses were associated with increased circulating NCA, which eluted at approximately 600,000 daltons.
• Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhibited immediate reactions and NCA elevation.
• DSCG did not affect late-phase asthmatic responses, whereas BDP provided inhibition.

Implications:

• Suggests distinct immunological pathways for early and late-phase reactions in milk-induced asthma.
• Highlights the potential role of NCA in immediate allergic airway responses to milk.
• Indicates differential therapeutic efficacy of DSCG and BDP based on asthmatic response type.