ASPETTI IMMUNOLOGICI DELL'ASMA BRONCHIALE

Advances in the understanding of bronchial asthma are to be expected from more detailed information on the immuno-pathological mechanisms involved. Reaginic IgE antibodies are responsible for most extrinsic asthma, but in some cases immune complexes could also be important. Great progress has been made after reproducible methods for detecting cellular and serum specific IgE antibodies were introduced. Moreover, the immunological and biological changes induced by immunotherapy are better known. Standardization and purification of allergenic extracts is now under study in many laboratories, our own included. As regards intrinsic asthma, attempts to demonstrate the importance of (auto) immune mechanisms have been made. The results of these studies are reported.