Histamine release induced by bacteria. A new mechanism in asthma?

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Abstract
Bacteria release histamine from human basophil leukocytes and mast cells. The release can be caused by an immunological (IgE-dependent) mechanism, but mostly we found a non-immunological (lectinmediated) mechanism which indicates that mediator release triggered by bacteria can occur without the person being sensitized to the micro-organism in question. Both bacteria and bacterial products such as endotoxins potentiate basophil histamine release caused by allergens in allergic patients or by bacteria in persons sensitized to the micro-organisms. It is therefore tempting to speculate that bacteria and their products might be of importance for asthma by their capacity to release histamine and to potentiate mediator release.