In vitro stimulation of lymphocytes in patients with chronic urticaria induced by additives and food

Abstract

The stimulation of lymphocytes was studied in 258 patients with urticaria and/or angioedema using a series of food extracts [including milk, chocolate, eggs, fish, wheat, oranges, shellfish, tomatoes, banana, potatoes and peaches] and additives [tartrazine and hydroxybenzoic acid]. [Aspirin was also tested]. Of this group, 238 revealed a positive response index (RI). There was a positive RI to additives in 18.4% of the cases, to food extracts in 35.2% and to both extracts and additives in 46.6% of the cases. A positive RI to both aspirin and tartrazine was revealed in 25% and to all the additives tested in 11% of the cases. Diets from which food extracts and additives were excluded achieved total remission in 159 (61.1%), partial remission in 57 cases (22%) and no remission in 42 (16.2%).