Exposure to Parthenium hysterophorous pollen extract leads to bronchospasm in stable patients of bronchial asthma.
Role of Parthenium hysterophorous as an allergen evoking bronchial hyper-responsiveness was assessed in twenty five adult patients with stable asthma and ten healthy controls. Assessment was made with the help of skin prick and bronchial provocation tests (BPT) using a commercially available Pathenium extract. Eleven patients (44%) of the study group had a positive skin reaction and 4 (16%) showed a significant fall in FEV1 and PEFR (p < 0.05) on bronchial provocation. In the control group only one patient (10%) had a positive skin test while there was none with a positive bronchial challenge. There was a significant fall in the mean values of FEV1 and PEFR over base line after the BPT in patients of asthma than controls. It is concluded that a significant proportion of bronchial asthma patients are sensitized to Parthenium hysterophorous and it may act as a cofactor in seasonal exacerbation of their symptoms.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160012.
D
D
Gupta
P V
PV
Suresh
D
D
Behera
S K
SK
Jindal
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests; D020903:Tanacetum parthenium / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts