Exposure to Parthenium hysterophorous pollen extract leads to bronchospasm in stable patients of bronchial asthma

J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Jun;46(6):518-20.

Abstract

Role of Parthenium hysterophorous as an allergen evoking bronchial hyper-responsiveness was assessed in twenty five adult patients with stable asthma and ten healthy controls. Assessment was made with the help of skin prick and bronchial provocation tests (BPT) using a commercially available Pathenium extract. Eleven patients (44%) of the study group had a positive skin reaction and 4 (16%) showed a significant fall in FEV1 and PEFR (p < 0.05) on bronchial provocation. In the control group only one patient (10%) had a positive skin test while there was none with a positive bronchial challenge. There was a significant fall in the mean values of FEV1 and PEFR over base line after the BPT in patients of asthma than controls. It is concluded that a significant proportion of bronchial asthma patients are sensitized to Parthenium hysterophorous and it may act as a cofactor in seasonal exacerbation of their symptoms.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Bronchial Spasm / etiology*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Pollen / adverse effects*
  • Reference Values
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin Tests
  • Tanacetum parthenium / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts