title: Study on cockroach antigen as a probable causative agent in bronchial asthma.
abstract: Bronchial provocative test (BPT) with cockroach (CR) antigen was performed in 22 asthmatic subjects. Sixteen had positive reaction (CR-positive) and 6 had negative reaction (CR-negative) to CR antigen by skin test. Immediate bronchoconstrictive response was noted following the antigen inhalation in 14 of 16 CR-positive asthmatics, while none of 6 CR-negative asthmatics showed bronchospasm. Late asthmatic responses also were noted in 13 of 16 CR-positive asthmatic individuals following BPT with CR antigen. The dual asthmatic reactions in CR-positive individuals were mostly inhibited by the prior administration of cromolyn sodium. Three-fold increases in peripheral eosinophil counts were noted 24 hr following BPT with CR antigen. Results indicate that CR-induced asthmatic responses are allergen-specific and CR plays a causative role in allergic asthma in the population studied.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology*; D004804:Eosinophils; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens