Mechanism of perennial allergic asthma.
The early (immediate) allergic asthmatic response does not account for the clinical features of perennial asthma. However, the late response--now thought to be due to allergen-IgE reaction-and the increase in non-allergic bronchial reactivity that is seen in allergen-sensitive asthmatics and that follows the late response do suggest an explanation. If the increased non-allergic bronchial reactivity somehow enhances bronchial responsiveness to allergen there would, in perennial allergic asthma, be a vicious circle. It will not be easy to test, in the laboratory or clinically, the validity of this hypothesis, but there are important implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological
D000485:Allergens; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium