Allergens

Abstract

It has long been believed that inhalant allergens play a role in the etiology of asthma. Initially this view was supported by the results of bronchial challenge tests. 1 However, it is clear that inhalation tests do not reflect natural exposure. On the other hand, the evidence for causality is supported by a combination of association of sensitization with disease, exposure studies, avoidance studies, and the biological plausibility that allergens induce inflammation in the lungs of allergic subjects.