[Comparison of the bronchodilating effects of five beta-adrenergic stimulants administered by inhalation to patients with bronchial asthma].

The bronchodilating effects of 5 different beta-adrenergic stimulants, isoproterenol, salbutamol, trimetoquinol, orciprenaline and procaterol were examined in 28 same patients who were in a free period from asthmatic attack. Suitable broncho-constrictive conditions for the comparison of the bronchodilators were produced by having the patients inhale methacholine at the threshold dosage, which had been determined previously for each patient. FEV1 measurements were taken throughout the study. Salbutamol was found to be superior to isoproterenol, trimetoquinol and orciprenaline with respect to bronchodilation and its duration. Procaterol, however, showed a more prolonged effect than salbutamol, although the initial bronchodilation was less remarkable.

[Bronchodilating effect of inhalation of aerosolized aminophylline in asthmatic patients].

Inhalation of aerosolized aminophylline solution (Neophylline) was examined for it's bronchodilating effect. Tests were done on the patient with bronchial asthma aged from 8 to 16 years of age which were divided into two groups, i.e., 21 wheezy patients, 8 non-wheezy patients and on another 14 under normal controls. 1.2 ml. of neophylline (30 mgs. of aminophylline) was inhaled to each patient by the micronebulizer for 6 minutes. VC, FEV1, PFR, V50 and V25 were measured by a Flow-volume recorder OST 7OD just before and after inhalation. The results showed that the bronchodilating effect of inhaled neophylline was detected in the wheezy patients group but not in the non-wheezy patients group nor in the control group. Furthermore, the duration of the bronchodilating effect was examined on another 19 wheezy patients by a peak flow meter. The effect appeared to be sustained for 4 hours after inhalation. Inhalation of serosolized neophylline is considered to be useful because of the fact that the bronchodilation can be obtained without an elevation of serum concentration of theophylline.

Diagnosis of food allergy by the radioallergosorbent test.

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was positive in 52.5% of 200 sera representing 200 food hypersensitivities from 108 patients with a history of definite immediate-type reactions to foods. Corresponding prick test was performed for 170 of the sera. The latter test was positive in 70%, the RAST was positive in 52%, and iether prick test or RAST was positive in 74%. It is concluded that the RAST is positive less frequently than the prick test in the diagnosis of immediate-type food allergy in clinically sensitive patients, but that the performance of both tests increases slightly the possibility of confirming the diagnosis. However, the RAST is useful for further evaluating positive prick tests with foods that do not correlate with clinical hypersensitivity.

In vivo and in vitro correlates of food allergy.

Sera of 86 patients clinically sensitive to foods were tested by passive sensitization of human and/or monkey lung (127 tests) and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) (72 tests), using whole-food antigens; the results were compared with skin (prick) testing. Results of the prick test correlated with history in 76% of cases; lung sensitization correlated with history in 37% and with prick test in 57%; and RAST correlated with history in 54% and prick test in 72%. It is concluded that a very large percentage of adverse reactions to foods are IgE-mediated. The prick test is of use in diagnosis, particularly when combined with RAST; the lung sensitization test is technically impractical and not a reliable indicator. The best diagnostic method is careful history with food challenge and withdrawal and rechallenge; the latter is safe except in patients with a history of violent reaction.