[Food and food additives hypersensitivity in adult asthmatics. III. Adverse reaction to sulfites in adult asthmatics].
OBJECTIVE
Many studies show that sulfites cause multiple atopic manifestations by oral challenge in USA and Europe, however, there are few reports of sulfites sensitivity in Japan. The aim of this study establishes the presence of sulfites hypersensitivities in asthmatic subjects in Japan.


METHODS
Twenty adult asthmatic patients, who were non-steroid-dependent and without a suggestive history of sulfite sensitivity, underwent challenge with oral solution of metabisulfite.


RESULTS
Of 12 patients reacted to metabisulfite. They demonstrated airway obstruction 5 (41.7%), urticaria 4 (36.7%), skin manifestation 2 (16.7%) and nasal congestion 1 (8.3%). All patients who demonstrated airway obstruction, were sensitive to aspirin.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral sulfite challenge should be made in patients with urticaria, that are not able to find out causative antigen, even though no suggestive history of sulfite sensitivity.
Arai
Y
Y
Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Doai Memorial Hospital.
Muto
H
H
Sano
Y
Y
Ito
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013447:Sulfites / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000276:immunology
D005520:Food Preservatives; D013447:Sulfites