title: Changes in cellular and biochemical profiles of induced sputum after allergen-induced asthmatic response: method for studying occupational allergic airway inflammation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to analyze morphological and biochemical changes in induced sputum after the provocation with occupational allergens (mixture of flours and grains) in subjects with diagnosed occupational asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with occupational asthma and healthy volunteers had physical examination, skin prick tests with common and occupational allergens, and spirometry. Specific IgE against common and occupational allergens was also measured. Bronchial inflammation was characterized by the percentage of cells, levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and changes in mucosal permeability index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in the proportion of eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and in the ECP level in induced sputum of occupational allergics after the specific provocation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sputum induction is a reliable method for measuring allergen-induced airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Centre of Occupational and Environmental Allergy, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź, Poland. annakrak@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krakowiak
authors.forename: Patrycja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krawczyk-Adamus
authors.forename: Wojtek
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dudek
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walusiak
authors.forename: Cezary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pałczyński
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011044:Poland; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens