Changes of serum complement and eosinophil count in antigen induced bronchospasm.

By using house dust antigens, in addition to the relation between specific IgE antibody, precipitin antibody and bronchial provocation test (BPT), the changes of serum complement activities and eosinophil counts after BPT were studied. Decreased serum concentrations of C4 and Factor B were found in three of 15 skin-test positive asthmatic children, thus confirming the involvement of complement in the pathogenesis of immediate type BPT reaction. Eosinophil counts tended to increase after BPT but the increase did not correlate with the occurence of the immediate type BPT reaction.