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Conclusions for pollinosis: 1. RAST is not necessary for the diagnosis when history and skin tests are characteristic. 2. If RAST is indicated (e.g. small children, urticaria factitia, eczema) tests with two or three grasses or a grass-mixture are sufficient. 3. RAST classes 1 and 2 have no diagnostic value. 4. If skin tests give no clearcut results provocation tests are preferable to RAST.

A constitutional factor, an imbalance of cAMP/cGMP, a disturbance of adenylcyclase and a vegetative dysregulation influence the allergic type I reaction. An unspecific hyperreactivity of the bronchial system plays an important role in the asthmatic genesis. Own experiments with acetylcholine and anticholinergic drugs are described. The deduction that the complement system participates in bronchial asthma is likely from own in vivo and in vitro experiments.

290 asthmatic patients with positive skin tests for mould allergens were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between skin test and inhalative provocation test was investigated with regard to single allergens and polyvalent mould sensitivity. With 4 commercially available moulds the relationship between skin test, provocation test and RAST was investigated too. Alternaria alternata occupies a special position. Tests with Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium notatum, Fusarium culmorum, Aspergilus fumigatus and Cladosporium herbarum showed the highest correlation correlation with clinical allergy. Allergic asthmatic patients are in about 10% sensitive for moulds. Penicillia tend to crossreaction; for other moulds no preferential combinations were found. Provocative inhalation tests have to be performed, if mould sensitivity is suspected. At present the results of RAST are mostly of no decisive diagnostic value.