[Interleukin-13 in the nasal lavage of pollinosis patients after specific intranasal challenge].

The unique properties of interleukin-13 have drawn the attention of investigators to its role in atopic diseases and in the mechanism of specific immunotherapy. The aim of this paper was to determine whether the presence of interleukin-13 will, apart from interleukina-4, be found in the nasal lavage after specific challenge and if the levels of these cytokines will differ. The studies included 13 patients in whom grass and rye pollen allergy was confirmed by the case history, skin tests and the presence of specific IgE in the blood serum.

[Clinical evaluation of 12 week salmeterol therapy in allergic asthma patients].

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of salmeterol in asthma therapy. The study was performed on a group of 16 allergic asthma patients sensitive to house dust mite allergens. After a run-in period the patients were treated with salmeterol, 2 x 50 micrograms, for a period of 12 weeks.

[Evaluation of the inhaled glucocorticosteroid effects on non specific bronchial reactivity with particular reference to the late inflammatory phase in atopic asthma patients. II. The effect of regular administration of budesonide R on specific and non-specific bronchial reactivity].

The purpose of the study was to determine whether regular administration of budesonide R decreases inflammation, specific and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity in allergic asthma patients. The studies were carried out on 16 patients suffering from mild to moderate allergic asthma, sensitive to D. pteronyssinus allergen.

[Evaluation of the enhaled glucocorticosteroid effect on non-specific and specific bronchial reactivity with particular reference to the late inflammatory phase in atopic asthma patients. I. The effect of a single dose of budesonide R on specific and non-specific bronchial reactivity].

The effect of a single dose of 320 micrograms of budesonide R on specific and non-specific bronchial response was evaluated. The study was carried out on a group of 12 patients suffering from mild allergic asthma, sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus).

[The efficacy of a new medication -- intranasal glucocorticoid mometasone furoate (Nasonex) -- in seasonal allergic rhinitis].

The aim of this open study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new topical corticosteroid Nasonex (mometasone furoate) in allergic, seasonal rhinitis. The investigations were carried out on 30 patients with proven grass pollen allergy. Nasonex was administered intranasally during the pollen season, in a single dose 200 micrograms.

[Evaluation of efficacy and tolerance of an antiasthmatic preparation--Ditec, consisting of low doses of disodium cromoglycate and fenoterol].

The efficacy, tolerance and, in addition, the effect of the antiasthmatic drug-Ditec, consisting of low doses disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and fenoterol on bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) were evaluated. The studies were carried out on a group of 22 mild asthma patients aged from 10 to 20 years. The patients took DSCG during the first four weeks and then were treated with Ditec, 4 x 2 puffs, for next four weeks.

[Usefulness of allergen extract Aquagen SQ-Dpt for administering bronchial provocation tests].

The value of the allergen extract, Aquagen SQ-Dpt, for performance of the bronchial provocation test in allergic asthma patients was evaluated. The studies were carried out on 117 patients suffering from allergic mite asthma. Bronchial challenge was performed according to Ryan's method.

The effects of a new generation of H1 antihistamines (cetirizine and loratadine) on histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine in atopic patients.

The effects of two selective H1 receptor blockers, cetirizine and loratadine, in comparison with placebo, on basophil histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine were assessed. The studies were performed in a group of 18 patients with pollinosis and 22 with atopic asthma. Both tests were performed before and after medication.

Humoral immunological response in patients with venom allergy during specific immunotherapy.

It was found that successful VIT (the negative challenge test) is associated with an increase in serum venom-specific IgG4 and a decrease in specific IgE. Also skin reactivity was significantly decreased in 9 patients with effective VIT. Or results confirmed that continuation of maintenance of VIT, 100 micrograms monthly for 2 years, is enough to protect most of venom allergic patients for systemic reaction to subsequent stings.

[Effect of flunisolide on exacerbation of clinical symptoms, spirometric parameters, consumption of B2-adrenergic drugs and levels of cortisol and ECP in serum of patients with bronchial asthma].

The effects of flunisolide on a symptoms, spirometry, beta 2-agonist consumption, serum cortisol and ECP levels in 30 asthmatics were assessed. The patients qualified for the study after a two week run--in period, inhaled flunisolide from MDI--1000 micrograms daily (2 x 2 puffs) for a period of 4 weeks. Patients noted daily asthma symptoms, morning and evening PEF, the beta 2-agonists consumption and side effects in their diary cards.

[Effect of Ribomunyl therapy on production of selected cytokines by mononuclear peripheral blood cells in nonatopic bronchial asthma].

In a group of 14 patients with nonatopic bronchial asthma, with recurrent infections of airways (approximately 5 - 10 episodes/year) and in 9 healthy persons the effect of Ribomunyl on IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 production by mononuclear peripheral blood cells were assessed. After Ribomunyl treatment in asthmatics the significant decrease in IL-1 beta and IL-6 production by monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and significant increase in IL-2 production by lymphocytes were observed.

[Production of selected cytokines by monocytes (IL-1 beta, IL-6) and lymphocytes (IL-2, IL-4) in peripheral blood of patients with nonallergic bronchial asthma treated with Broncho-Vaxom].

In 16 patients with nonallergic bronchial asthma treated with Broncho-vaxom and 10 healthy persons the mononuclear peripheral blood cells ability for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 production were studied. Nonallergic asthmatics were characterised by increased levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 produced by monocytes. After Broncho-vaxom therapy a decreased for IL-1 beta and IL-6, and an increased production of IL-2 were observed.

[Behavior of various spirometry parameters during bronchial provocation tests with D. pteronyssinus in patients with asthma, sensitized to housedust mites].

Changes in particular spirometry parameters during specific bronchial provocation test (BPT) with an allergen in asthmatics sensitized to house dust mites were evaluated. Studies were carried out on 130 patients. Specific BPT with D.

[CAP system methods versus FAST methods in immunologic monitoring of specific immunotherapy in pollen allergy].

The aim was to study the value of the CAP system (Pharmacia) in comparison with the FAST method (Bio Whittaker) in determination of total IgE, specific IgE and IgG4 during specific immunotherapy (sIT). The studies were carried out on a group of 67 patients with pollinosis treated with various pollen allergen extracts. The immunological studies were performed before and after several courses of sIT.

[Specific immunotherapy in patients with bronchial asthma hypersensitive to housedust mites].

An efficacy and effects of immunotherapy (IT) on skin and bronchial reactivity, and serum levels of some immunoglobulins in mite asthma patients were evaluated. A usefulness of some tests was assessed additionally. The studies were carried out on 37 asthmatics.

[Efficacy and tolerance of allergenic extracts Allergovit and Novo-Helisen depot in immunotherapy of allergic diseases].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerance and immunogenity of allergenic extracts: Allergovit and Novo-Hellisen depot (produced by Allergopharma--Germany), used for sIT in pollinosis and house dust mite allergy. The treatment was carried out on 40 patients for three years. The evaluation included the results of a physical examination, the score of symptoms from self-observations and the consumption of antiallergic medicines.

[Clinical evaluation of Polish allergen extracts Catalet C and Catalet D in patients with pollinosis].

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the clinical efficacy, individual tolerance and side effects of allergen extracts, a weed pollen vaccine Catalet C and a tree pollen vaccine Catalet D. The study was carried out on a group of 41 patients aged from 15 to 46 years in comparison with a placebo group (36 patients). A good tolerance, no serious side effects and a high clinical efficacy, manifested in diminution of pollinosis symptoms in more than 80% of patients was noted.

[An immunologic evaluation of Polish pollen extract Catalet "C" and Catalet "D" in patients with pollinosis].

In a group of 41 hay fever and/or seasonal asthma patients, sensitive to weed or tree pollens the influence of specific immunotherapy (sIT) on the level of IgE, specific IgE and IgG4, and HR induced by anti-IgE and specific allergens was evaluated. It was shown that both allergenic extracts, Catalet C and Catalet D, are really immunogenic, which is manifested in a decrease in specific IgE and in a marked increase in specific IgG4, after 2 years of sIT. In comparison with the placebo, the sensitivity of blood basophils to both specific allergens and non-specific factors significantly decreased.

[Selected cell-mediated immunologic parameters in patients with intrinsic asthma treated with long-term corticotherapy].

Total lymphocytes number, proportions of T lymphocyte subset, nonspecific suppressor activity induced by Con A and T-lymphocytes ability for IL-2 production were assessed. Group of 46 patients with intrinsic asthma (24 females and 22 males) including 20 asthmatics treated during 5-7 years with glucocorticosteroids were studied. Control group consisted of 12 healthy persons.

[Value of a specific bronchial provocation test in comparison with other methods in diagnosis of atopic bronchial asthma].

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between specific Bronchial Provocation Test (sBPT), the serum specific IgE level (sIgE) and specific basophil histamine release (Dpt HR) in asthma patients, sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt). The studies were carried out on 30 mild asthma patients with positive case history and strongly positive skin tests with Dpt. In all the patients were performed following tests: BPT with histamine, serum specific IgE level against Dpt (sIgE Dpt), spontaneous basophil HR (spHR), anti-IgE depended basophil HR (aIgE HR), Dpt depended basophil HR (Dpt HR), sBPT with Dpt (sBPT Dpt).