Pathophysiological studies of bronchial asthma Part 2. Histamine release from circulating basophils by an extract of Candida albicans

To clarify the characteristics of Candida (C.) albicans as an allergen in bronchial asthma, C. albicans-induced histamine release from basophils was observed in 35 healthy subjects and 60 asthmatics. In 35 healthy subjects, the mean %maximum histamine release was 2.5±2.9, and there was no significant histamine release (more than 15%) after C. albicans stimulation. Sixteen of 60 asthmatic cases showed a significant histamine release induced by C. albicans. The frequency of cases with significant histamine release was the highest in patients between 41 and 50 years old. Histamine was released more generally in cases over 41 years. Histamine was released not only in early onset cases with higher levels of serum IgE, but also in late onset cases with lower levels of serum IgE. There was a significant correlation between the level of C. albicans-specific IgE antibodies and histamine release. However basophils in some cases with negative specific IgE antibodies released a significant amount of histamine. In conclusion, histamine release induced by C. albicans is useful in the evaluation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial asthma.