Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis: Clinical, immunological and morphological features

Aim: Our study was the comparative clinical and morphologic characteristics of adolescents and adult patients with bronchial asthma (BA) in before and after the course allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Materials and methods: The study involved 52 adolescents aged 14-18 and 24 adult aged 20-54 with a diagnosis of BA. Allergological examination, level serum hormones, cytokine levels, the provocation nasal and inhalation tests and electron microscopy study were conducted. Results: Retrospective analysis were prevailed the atopic form of BA (88,2%) in adolescents. The debut of BA was appeared in age before 15 years old (71,6%); the middle degree - 40,3%, light degree - 32,8%, heavy degree - 26,9%. Accompanying diseases the illness of digestion system - 43,9%, the endocrine system - 35,1%; the heavy family allergic anamnesis -78%, the pernicious habits (the smoking - 42,2%, alcohol - 10,6%). Hyperreactivity of the mucous membranes is higher in adolescents than adults. In all groups identified cytokine imbalance, characterized by a significant decrease in the level INF-γ and IL2 and increased the content of IL4, IL5 (p<0,05). In the study of hormonal status revealed an endocrine imbalance. In mucosa of airways identified priorities change of epithelial cells with subsequent activation of immune cells, in the stroma. After the ASIT adolescents indicated more intensive decrease in the reactivity of the mucous membranes of the nose and bronchi in comparison with adults. Conclusion: Timely and adequate prescriptions of basic therapy and possible prior ASIT contribute to the best clinical effect, avoid possible complications, and also increase the restoration of the damaged nasal mucosa.