Mediators of hypersensitivity in the sputum of young, symptomatic cigarette smokers

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The concentrations of mediators of hypersensitivity were measured in the sputum of 25 young, symptomatic cigarette smokers who regularly expectorated and 23 matched non-smokers with a respiratory infection. The measurements included sputum and blood eosinophils, IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM and also sputum histamine. There was a significant increase of sputum histamine and a higher sputum/serum ratio of IgE in smokers when compared to non-smokers. The bronchial inflammatory response in smokers, as in chronic bronchitis, evidently involves the participation of mediators of hypersensitivity.