[The significance of acetylcholine test in occupational allergic asthma (author's transl)].

The authors studied the spirometric changes following acetylcholine inhalation in a group of subjects with history of paroxysmal dyspnea--apparently related to their working activity--and, at the same time, with negative skin tests. Acetylcholine inhalation test proved to be positive in 80% of the cases, showing an increased bronchial reactivity and therefore a tendency to functional bronchostenosis. The high percentage of positive responses in the suspect cases, the lack of side effects and the negative results in control subjects, recommend the acetylcholine inhalation test as a suitable ancillary diagnostic procedure in suspect cases of occupational allergic asthma.