[Suspicion on sulfites].

The sulfites have anti-oxygen and anti-microbial properties, which explain their great use in the food and drug industry. They may be responsible for anaphylactoid type episodes or more often asthmatic crises. 4 to 8% of asthmatics are sensitive to sulfites.

Asthma without airway hyperresponsiveness to carbachol.

Generally, asthma is closely associated with hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstrictor agents. However, we have observed three patients who initially had symptoms of asthma but no hyperresponsiveness. Responsiveness to carbachol was assessed by specific airway resistance (SRaw) measurement after bronchodilatators had been discontinued.