In order to compare the allergenic and taxonomical relationships of fishes, we assayed specific IgE antibodies to 39 strains of fishes (9 orders, 24 families, 31 genera, 38 species) using 41 sera from fish-allergic subjects and calculated correlation coefficients (CCs) of relationship between IgE antibody titers to fishes. There were statistically positive correlations among every combination of IgE-binding activity to fishes, but the CCs were in the wide range of 0.41 to 0.95. There was no significant difference in the CCs among fishes between the same (mean=0.77, range; 0.48-0.96) and the different (0.77, 0.41-0.95) orders. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the CCs between the same and the different groups in genus as well as in families.
The results of RAST inhibition were consistent with the correlation of IgE antibodies to fishes rather than biological classification of fishes. In conclusion it was suggested that the relationship of fishes based on the IgE-binding activity was not necessarily in agreement with the taxonomical classification.

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We reported a girl with asthma who had 4 episodes of various types of seizures (two episodes of persistent unconciousness seizures, persistent complex partial seizure, and generalized tonic seizure) during theophylline treatment. Although her serum theophylline levels were subtherapeutic, she was shifted from theophylline to fluticasone propionate inhalation because these seizures might be induced by theophylline. Consequently, no seizures have recurred on her. She is neurologically intact while her two elder brothers have epilepsy. More careful considerations are necessary to use theophylline for the treatment of asthma in children whose family have neurological disorders.

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The survey had been carried out from freshmen to 4th grade students having allergic and non-allergic history belonging to Osaka Kyoiku University focusing on their respirtory symptoms and asthmatic attack in 2001. The incidence of smoking increased significantly in accordance with progression of grade among students with allergic and non-allergic history. The incidence of coughing and wheezing had also increased significantly among 1 and 3 grade male and female students, 4 grade male students with non-allergic history, respectively. In comparison betweem students with allergic and non-allergic history, the prevalence of wheezing with respirtory distress increased significantly among 2 ans 3 grade female and 4 grade male students with non-allergic history. The incidence of coughing up phlegm increased significantly in freshmen of non-allergic history. The incidence of wheezing causing without infection increased significantly in 2 grade female with non-allergic and 3 grade male with allergic history in smoking groups. In comparison between allergic and non-allergic history, the incidence of wheezing causing infection increased significantly in 2 and 3 grade male students in smoking groups. On wheezing caused by something without infection, it was showed significant increase in freshmen and 2, 3 and 4 grade male and female students in smoking groups. But, the incidence of asthmatic attack showed no relation to smoking. It was suspected to be reflection of small cases of smoking habit in allergic groups.

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A multicenter, double-blind comparative study of the tulobuterol patch was conducted to evaluate the effects of continuous use of this agent on airway hypersensitivity and its safety. The participants were a total of 43 children (30 males and 13 females) with bronchial asthma aged 9 to 18 years old (mean 11.7±2.6) who received tulobuterol patch, tulobuterol oral preparation or their matching placebos for 2 weeks using a double-blind method, and whose airway hypersensitivity was evaluated by PC₂₀ obtained before and after treatment using the standard acetylcholine inhalation method proposed by the Japanese Society of Allergology. Pre- and post-treatment PC₂₀ differed significantly in neither the 13 children receiving tulobuterol patches nor the 16 receiving tulobuterol as an oral preparation. Tulobuterol patches appeared not to affect the airway hypersensitivity of children with bronchial asthma. The results of the study suggest that tulobuterol patches may be used for long-term control for patients with moderate persistent (Step 3) or severe persistent (Step 4) bronchial asthma according to the Guidelines for the Treatment and Management of Pediatric Bronchial Asthma in 2002. Further investigations of more long-term use of tulobuterol patches are necessary to confirm the usefulness of this agent for long-term control of childhood asthma.

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The purpose of this study was to determine whether pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, attenuates exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children with asthma. Study design was a randomized multicenter doubled-blind placebo-controlled 2-period crossover trial.
Subjects were 17 stable asthmatic children aged 7 to 14 years (mean: 11.0 years) with a history of typical symptoms of EIB. They received dry syrup of pranlukast or placebo both after dinner in the first day and after breakfast in the second day in each period. For each patient, all exercise challenges were performed on a bicycle ergometer and spirometry measurements were collected pre-and post-exercise.
In conclusion, pranlukast, compared with placebo, significantly inhibited the reduction of pulmonary function after exercise, which was estimated by spirometry measurements (FVC, FEV_1.0, PEF, MMF, V₅₀ and V₂₅). This study demonstrated that pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a useful drug in asthma management.

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