[Diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity by chemical compounds exposure tests].

Objective: There are no specific signs or symptoms in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), so diagnosis of MCS depends on a history, QEESI symptom scores and exclusion of other diseases. A gold standard of diagnosis of MCS is a chemical compound exposure test in which changes of symptoms are used to decide the results positive or negative. We have done chemical compound exposure tests to diagnose MCS in 51 patients.

[The change of exhaled nitric oxide levels in early response after inhaled antigen in antigen-specific provocation test].

Background: Inhaled antigen increases exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in atopic asthmatics. Recent study showed that the increase of eNO levels was observed in late response (8-10 hours after inhaled antigen) but not in early response (1.5 hour after inhaled antigen).

[The methodological aspects of off-line sampling of exhaled air for nitric oxide measurement in Japanese].

The measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a non-invasive biomarker of bronchial inflammation. Despite the usefulness of eNO measurement, NO analyzers are too expensive for widespread use by general practitioners. In comparison, the off-line (bag collection) method of eNO measurement may be more useful.

The relationship between exhaled nitric oxide measured with an off-line method and airway reversible obstruction in Japanese adults with asthma.

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a useful marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma patients. There is no study to show the relationship between the eNO measured by using an off-line method and the degree of reversibility of airflow limitation in Japanese asthma patients. We sought to investigate the relationship between the eNO level measured by using an off-line method and the degree of reversibility of bronchial constriction in Japanese asthma patients.

[Case of eosinophilic bronchitis and bronchiolitis associated with increased level of serum CEA in asthmatics].

A 50-year-old asthmatic woman showed peripheral blood eosinophilia, significantly increased level of CEA in serum (102.5ng/ml), and atelectasis of the right middle lobe on chest radiograph and CT. The level of CEA subsequently increased further, and then decreased with systemic corticosteroid therapy.

[Clinical aspects of patients with MCS - from the standpoint of allergy].

Background: "Sick House Syndrome" is thought to be an illness caused by indoor environments such as allergens, bacteria and chemical compounds. But it is not yet an established clinical entity. "Sick House Syndrome" overlaps in part with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) whose symptoms are induced by very small amount of volatile chemical compounds.