Novel clinical and serological aspects in non-allergic asthma

Background: We have recently observed that skin reactivity to autologous serum injection is common in patients with non-allergic asthma. However, clinical significance of skin reactivity to autologous serum remains to be defined. Objective: To evaluate the possible relation between skin reactivity to autologous serum and clinical and laboratory characteristics in a series of patients with non-allergic asthma. Methods: Fifty-five patients with non-allergic asthma underwent in vivo autologous serum skin test (ASST) and in vitro basophil histamine release assay using basophils from a normal donor. Clinical and laboratory characteristics including peripheral blood eosinophilia, antinuclear antibodies and total IgE concentration were evaluated. As control, ASST was performed in 10 allergic asthmatic patients, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis and 10 normal subjects. Results: ASST was positive in 29/55 non-allergic asthmatics (53%), whereas it was negative in all 30 control subjects (P