Allergens and Bacteria in Basophil Activation
Allergens and Bacteria in Basophil Activation
Despite the large number of studies performed in this field, the reason why asthma exacerbations occur during infections of the respiratory tract is still uncertain. Several pathogens as well as other mechanical, immunological and biochemical causes have been taken into consideration. The recent demonstration that basophils, in the presence of nonactivating doses of allergens, acquire the capacity of degranulating in the presence of bacteria seems to have shed some light on this argument. In addition, the evidence that antibiotic therapy may be active and that the mechanisms of recovery are strengthened in the presence of drugs reducing the microbial contamination indicates that, at least in certain conditions, the microbe–allergy association can be considered as the start of asthma exacerbation and any possible control of this possibility should allow more efficient control in the patients.
Conclusion
Despite the large number of studies performed in this field, the reason why asthma exacerbations occur during infections of the respiratory tract is still uncertain. Several pathogens as well as other mechanical, immunological and biochemical causes have been taken into consideration. The recent demonstration that basophils, in the presence of nonactivating doses of allergens, acquire the capacity of degranulating in the presence of bacteria seems to have shed some light on this argument. In addition, the evidence that antibiotic therapy may be active and that the mechanisms of recovery are strengthened in the presence of drugs reducing the microbial contamination indicates that, at least in certain conditions, the microbe–allergy association can be considered as the start of asthma exacerbation and any possible control of this possibility should allow more efficient control in the patients.
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