[Mucociliary transport disturbance after an asthmatic attack]

Abstract

The influence of asthmatic attack on the mucociliary transport system was studied by saccharin test in 8 asthmatic patients. In stable asthmatics, the mean nasal clearance time (NCT) was 44.9 +/- 6.1 (SE) min, which was greater than in normal controls (15.1 +/- 3.4 (SE) min). Nasal clearance time in stable asthmatics correlated fairly well with the duration of asthma. There is, however, no relationship between NCT and ages, blood eosinophil counts, blood IgE, or the respiratory functions. Mean NCT during asthmatic attack was 16.9 min, but 1 week later, mean NCT was prolonged to 58.6 min and 101.1 min after 2 weeks. These results indicate that there is mucociliary transport disturbance after asthmatic attack.