[Nonspecific bronchial provocation with histamine and methacholine].

The inhalational histamine and metacholine test is a standard procedure to estimate the degree of bronchial reactivity. During the last 10 years the method of continuously generated aerosol inhalation compels recognition. The test consists in the inhalation during 2 minutes, every 5 minutes of a double dosage of drug followed by measurement of MEVS after each step. Thus the dosage response curve is set up. The concentration of the necessary drug dosage for decreasing with 20% of MEVS (PC20 or PD20) are accepted as indices for bronchial reactivity. The method is indicated in cases suspected for atypical bronchial asthma, professional asthma and drug research. The technical and subjective factors interfering the measurements should be taken into account and analysed in order to ensure reproducibility and comparability of the method.