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Changes of serum complement and eosinophil count in antigen induced bronchospasm.
Annals of Allergy
|September 1, 1978
Summary
This study found that complement activation, specifically decreased C4 and Factor B levels, is involved in immediate allergic reactions in asthmatic children. Eosinophil increases after bronchial provocation tests did not correlate with these reactions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Pediatric Asthma
Background:
- Asthma involves immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
- The role of complement system activation in asthma pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
- House dust antigens are common triggers for allergic asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific IgE, precipitin antibodies, and bronchial provocation test (BPT) results in asthmatic children.
- To examine changes in serum complement activities (C4, Factor B) and eosinophil counts following BPT.
- To confirm the involvement of complement in immediate-type BPT reactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized house dust antigens for allergy testing.
- Performed bronchial provocation tests (BPT) on 15 skin-test positive asthmatic children.
- Measured serum complement component concentrations (C4, Factor B) and peripheral eosinophil counts before and after BPT.
Main Results:
- Three out of 15 asthmatic children showed decreased serum concentrations of C4 and Factor B post-BPT.
- Eosinophil counts demonstrated a tendency to increase after BPT.
- The observed increase in eosinophils did not correlate with the immediate-type BPT reaction.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation, indicated by reduced C4 and Factor B, plays a role in the immediate allergic response during BPT in some asthmatic children.
- Peripheral eosinophil count changes after BPT are not directly linked to the immediate hypersensitivity reaction.
- Further research into complement pathways in allergic asthma is warranted.