Bacterial immunotherapy in bronchial asthma.
Nowadays, bacterial etiology is probably the least considered and most controversial in the etiopathogenesis of bronchial asthma. It was in the first decades of this century when several authors insisted on the close relation between infection and asthmatic response. This is why, since antibiotics have appeared, many renowned authors insist on the basic treatment of the infection with antibiotics. Also, the need of immunotherapy with bacterial antigens is being emphasized, considering the importance of this factor in bronchial asthma. Nevertheless, there are some detractors who, in our opinion, do not base their criteria on experience or precise data which support the rejection of the bacterial infectious factor as a causal triggering factor. It has been in the last decade when several authors, Norn among them, confirm the importance of the bacterial antigen, and especially its potentiating role on the inhalant allergens. On the other hand, in the last decade the symptomatic treatment of asthma by means of bronchodilators and corticosteroids is being fomented. That is, the maintenance of the asthmatic patient is being fomented instead of his consequent treatment, fighting the infection. According to our long experience and the positive number of cases obtained, again we insist on the need to treat bronchial asthma with bacterial immunotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary to study this aspect more in depth in order to reach a real knowledge of all of the above.
Oehling
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Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines