Bronchiectasis

Asthma, allergy and bronchial hyper‐reactivity to histamine in patients with bronchiectasis

“…Including these cases, distinct allergic diathesis was present in 42% of the total series. These figures conform with the highest incidences reported in the literature (Watson & Kibler, 1939;Souders, 1949;Strang, 1956;Eerland & Orie, 1958). The method used for the compilation of the material, in a clinic providing conservative therapy to adult patients, could have infiuenced to some extent the high frequencies.…”

“…On average, bronchial disease was severe and widespread in the patients. Cases of this type are common in conjunction with asthma, as well as with mucoviscidosis and hypogammaglobulaemia (Eerland & Orie, 1958;Sealy, Bradham & Young, 1966;Field, 1961Field, , 1969Ripe, 1971). It is thus probable that a greater number of non-asthmatic patients had been eliminated from the original population by resection therapy than was the case with asthmatic patients.…”

“…The treatment of a potential allergic part-factor is an essential aspect of the management of existing bronchiectasis. The results obtained by resection therapy in asthmatic bronchiectasis patients appear to be poorer than the average, as in this combination bronchial changes tend to spread diffusely (Ginsberg et al, 1955;Strang, 1956;Eerland & Orie, 1958;Field, 1961Field, , 1969Sealy et al, 1966;Ripe, 1971;Ripe, Selander & Wolodarski, 1971). When resection is under consideration, it is advisable to examine the patient carefully from this viewpoint.…”

“…Phenomena of this type are commonly apparent, for example, in asthma and the most severe complications, i.e. atelectasis, pneumonia and bronchiolitis, are particularly common in children (Griffiths, 1953;Eerland & Orie, 1958;Field, 1961;Zweiman, Schoenwetter & Zeildreter, 1966).…”