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Objective: Posttransplant anemia (PTA) in kidney recipients is a complication that has repercussions mainly of cardiovascular consequence. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of anemia, as well as the relationship between kidney recipient and donor sex, in the presence or absence of anemia at 12 months after kidney transplant (KT)., Material and Methods: Observational, longitudinal study of KTs made over a 5-year period, from 2013 to 2017, in a renal transplant unit from La Raza National Health Care Medical Center. Three hundred twenty-eight records were analyzed. Hemoglobin (Hb) and the presence or absence of anemia according to the definition by the World Health Organization were analyzed. The association between kidney recipient sex and donor type (living or deceased) was evaluated. Analysis of central tendency and dispersion were performed and the mean difference was established with χ 2 test or Student t test. Significance level was set at P < .05., Results: The mean Hb (standard deviation) before KT was 10.38 (2.16) g/dL; Hb at 12 months was 14.47 (2.37) g/dL with an absolute increase of 4.09 g/dL. Before KT, male kidney recipients had a mean Hb of 10.54 (2.17) g/dL. At 12 months post-KT, mean Hb was 15.33 (2.25) with a change of 4.79 g/dL. Before KT, female kidney recipients had a mean Hb of 10.16 (2.13) g/dL. At 12 months post-KT, mean Hb was 13.31 (2.01) with a change of 3.15 g/dL. The difference between both sexes was 1.64 g/dL at the end of 12 months. Sixteen out of 152 (10.5%) patients had a serum creatinine (Cr) < 1.2 mg/dL and anemia; 36 out of 176 (20.5%) patients had a Cr ≥ 1.2 mg/dL and anemia (P = .014). In the bivariate logistic regression with an odds ratio of 2.047 (95% confidence interval, 1027-4078; P = .042) for higher Cr levels and the presence of persistent anemia., Conclusions: There is a prevalence of anemia in female kidney recipients and recipients of kidneys from deceased donors. There is a higher risk of persistent anemia in the case of patients with some degree of graft failure at 12 months., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Alternaria alternata is a risk factor for developing asthma.Alt a 1, which has been described as the major allergen in A alternata, shows a good correlation with A alternata spores only when they have germinated., Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between spore counts and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitized to A alternata., Methods: Two types of samplers were used to determine exposure: a Burkard spore trap to collect A alternata spores and a high-volume air sampler to collect airborne particles. A total of 366 air filters were collected. Alt a 1 levels were measured by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Eighteen monosensitized patients were asked to record their daily symptoms throughout the year., Results: A alternata spores were detected throughout the year, whereas Alt a 1 was detected only between March and December. Symptoms showed positive and significant correlations with spore counts (r=0.459, P<.001), and Alt a 1 levels (r=0.294, P<.001). The correlation between spores and Alt a 1 was low. The negative binomial model proved that an increase of 10 pg/m3 in Alt a 1 levels increased the number of symptoms at a 3-day lag by 5%., Conclusions: In patients who are allergic to A alternata, Alt a 1 levels can be considered an important marker for predicting the risk of respiratory symptoms.

Background: Current management of egg allergy relies on egg elimination from the diet. It does not protect patients from reactions after accidental ingestion of the food and it has a negative influence on quality of life. To solve these problems, some desensitization protocols have been described that are safe and effective, but only one study of a rush regimen for egg with a small patient sample has been published., Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and immunologic effects of an oral rush desensitization protocol for immediate egg allergy., Methods: Subjects aged 5 years or older with symptomatic IgE-mediated allergy to hen's egg underwent a 5-day oral tolerance induction regimen and were subsequently maintained on a regular egg intake. The variables studied were the reactions that occurred during the induction regimen and follow-up and the duration of desensitization. Prick test weal size and egg white-specific IgE and IgG concentrations were monitored., Results: Twenty-three patients between 5 and 17 years of age entered the protocol. Twenty (86.9%) achieved the daily intake of a whole cooked egg, 14 of them within the scheduled 5 days. One abandoned the protocol and two were changed to a slower regimen because of repeated reactions. Allergic reactions were frequent but in general were mild. No severe reactions occurred. During follow-up of at least 6 months, egg was well tolerated by all patients. Compared with baseline, skin prick test weal size and egg white-sIgE levels had fallen at 3 months, although the differences were only significant at 6 months., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The rush protocol described is useful and safe for achieving tolerance to egg within a few days but it should always be performed in a highly supervised setting. A high proportion of patients allergic to egg can effectively be desensitized using the described schedule, with the advantage of shortening the time to become protected from reactions after inadvertent ingestion of egg, with no increase in the risk compared with the earlier reported slower protocols., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Background: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are relevant allergens, and have recently been proposed as model plant allergens from fruit, vegetables, seeds, and pollens. However, no LTP spice allergen has been characterized to date., Objectives: To identify and isolate saffron LTPs and to explore their relevance in saffron allergy., Methods: Six patients with rhinitis and positive skin prick test (SPT) results to saffron extract were selected. Two recombinant LTPs from saffron were isolated, cloned into pPIC9 plasmid, and produced in Pichia pastoris. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E immunodetection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed with the 2 purified allergens and with the major peach allergen Pru p 3., Results: Full cDNA corresponding to 2 saffron LTP variants was isolated and expressed in P pastoris. The molecular weight of rCro s 3.01 and rCro s 3.02 was 9.15 kDa and 9.55 kDa, respectively. The sequences obtained had a 47% identity with each other and 51% and 43% with Pru p 3. Both proteins were recognized by anti-Pru p 3 antibodies. Specific IgE to the purified allergens was found in 50% of patients for rCro s 3.01 and 33% for rCro s 3.02 and Pru p 3 in the saffron-allergic patients., Conclusions: Our results indicated that rCro s 3.01 and rCro s 3.02 are minor allergens of saffron, at least in the study patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the implication of LTPs in spice allergy.

Apomixis in plants covers a variety of cloning systems through seeds of great potential for plant breeding. Among long-standing approaches for crop improvement is the attempt to exploit wild relatives as natural, vast reservoirs for novel genetic variation. With regard to apomixis, maize possesses an apomictic wild relative, Tripsacum, which we used to produce advanced maize-Tripsacum hybrid generations. However, introgression of apomixis in maize has failed so far. In order to understand the hows and whys, we undertook characterization of seed development and inheritance studies in these materials. We show that apomictic seeds suffer from epigenetic loads. Both seed tissues, the endosperm and the embryo, displayed developmental defects resulting from imbalanced parental genomic contributions and aberrant methylation patterns, respectively. Progeny characterization of several maize-Tripsacum hybrid generations allowed significant progress toward the unraveling of the genetics of apomixis. First, chromosome deletion mapping showed that expression of apomixis requires one single Tripsacum chromosome. However, inheritance studies revealed that female gametes inheriting this segment were unequivalent carriers depending on their origin: unreduced gametes transmit a functional segment, whereas progeny derived from reduced ones reproduced sexually. Finally, chromosomal or genomic dosage variation barely affected the apomictic phenotype suggesting no dependency for ploidy in these materials. We conclude that epigenetic information imposes constraints for apomictic seed development and seems pivotal for transgenerational propagation of apomixis. The nature of the triggering mechanisms remains unknown as-yet, but it certainly explains the modest success relative to the development of apomictic maize thus far.

Background: Allergic diseases have increased in industrialized countries and this increase is associated not only with genetic factors but also with lifestyle and environmental factors such as air pollution. Our hypothesis was that asthma in pollen-allergic patients from two towns with very different pollution levels in La Mancha (Spain) could be affected to a very different degree., Objective: Our objectives were to assess the risk factors associated with decompensation of pollen-induced asthma in the two towns and to perform a comparison between the patients from Puertollano (high pollution level) and Ciudad Real (low pollution level) with respect to daily symptoms, medication used and peak-flow measurements., Methods: We designed a cohort study with 137 patients (66 from Puertollano and 71 from Ciudad Real), conducted over 3 years (1999-2001) and including two pollen seasons. The two populations presented similar demographic and clinical characteristics. The variables studied included: area of residence, sex, age, smoking status, asthma symptoms and positive prick tests. Clinical decompensation was monitored by symptoms recorded on diary cards, twice daily peak-flow measurements and the use of protocolized medication., Results: There was a clinically relevant relationship between the place of residence and clinical decompensation. The risk of clinical decompensation in patients from Puertollano was up to three times higher than that of patients in Ciudad Real (P=0.034). Furthermore, patients from Puertollano and patients with moderate asthma presented more rapid decompensation compared with patients from Ciudad Real (P=0.020) and patients with mild asthma (P=0.049)., Conclusion: In conclusion, pollen-allergic asthmatics in Puertollano present a poorer clinical course and become decompensated earlier than those from Ciudad Real and it could be due to air pollution.

We report the case of an 18-year-old female student suffering from seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with sensitization to pollens from vine and also from grass, olive, and Chenopodiaceae plants who had recently developed episodes of itching, maculopapular rash, and facial angioedema after eating grapes. Testing revealed positive reactions to vine pollen and grapes, and specific IgE were found for both allergens. Immunoblotting and inhibition assays revealed cross-reactivity between the allergenic structures of vine pollen and grape fruit and also among botanically unrelated pollens.

A contact dermatitis due to to povidone-iodine (PI) which seemed to be a strong irritant reaction is described. Nevertheless, patch-test results suggested an allergic reaction that is cell mediated.

Background: The family Dermestidae belongs to the order Coleoptera. Occupational allergy has been described in museum personnel. A 31-year-old male wool worker presenting rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma episodes probably linked to exposure to Dermestidae-infected wool was investigated., Methods: Extracts prepared either from insect bodies or from dust from parasitized wool were used for skin prick testing (SPT), conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and in vitro determinations., Results: SPT and provocation tests were positive to both extracts. PEFR measurement demonstrated the association between the patient's symptoms and occupational exposure to Dermestidae. Specific IgE to both extracts was detected and immunoblotting revealed several protein bands from 5 to 200 kDa that were reactive to IgE from the patient's serum., Conclusions: Dermestidae exposure in wool workers when handling parasitized wool can be a cause of IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

Background: Cutaneous adverse reactions are frequently described with anticonvulsant drugs, especially with aromatic drugs such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital. Patch tests could be useful for diagnosing this clinical picture. Hypersensitivity to several anticonvulsant drugs is common but unpredictable., Material and Methods: 15 patients from our allergy section, suffering from anticonvulsant skin allergy, were included. We describe their analitic alterations, responsible drugs, and anticonvulsants tolerated, the results of patch tests with anticonvulsant drugs (5% pet. and aq.), and skin biopsies wherever carried out., Results: 23 adverse skin reactions with different anticonvulsant drugs occurred in the 15 patients: 13 resulted in fever and generalized cutaneous rash, 7 patients suffered only from cutaneous rash. There was one case of palpable purpura, one of erythema multiforme (target lesions), and another one suffered only cutaneous pruritus. Eosinophilia was found in 5 cases. Liver enzymes were elevated in 9 (7 of whom suffered fever and cutaneous rash). The responsible drugs were carbamazepine (8 adverse reactions), phenytoin (5), lamotrigine (4), phenobarbital (4), sodium valproate (1), and felbamate (1). The drugs tolerated were sodium valproate (6 patients), topiramate (4), vigabatrin (2), lamotrigine (1), clonazepam (1), and gabapentin (1). We found 12 positive patch tests: 6 with carbamazepine, 3 with phenytoin and, 1 each with lamotrigine, sodium valproate and phenobarbital. Skin biopsies were carried out in 5 patients, 4 of whom showed some characteristic findings of erythema multiforme (lymphocytic exocytosis, dyskeratotic cells, vacuolation of basal cells and pigmentary incontinence) and the other one showed a typical leucocytoclastic angitis., Conclusions: The cutaneous adverse reactions more frequently seen in our allergy section because of anticonvulsant drugs are rashes with fever. Eosinophilia and elevated levels of liver enzymes are frequently associated. This clinical picture is called "anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome." The drugs implicated most frequently are carbamazepine and phenytoin. Hypersensitivity to more than one drug was variable and unpredictable. The best-tolerated drug was sodium valproate, but it was not tolerated by a patient with phenytoin and carbamazepine hypersensitivity. Patch tests are useful for diagnosing anticonvulsant hypersensitivity. The most frequently findings in the skin biopsies were typical of erythema multiforme.

Wall rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides) is a common Crucifera plant that grows in European and American vineyards and olive groves. We present the cases of 2 farmers with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma related to wine-growing tasks during D erucoides pollination (March-April). The aim of this work was to demonstrate that occupational symptoms were caused by D erucoides pollen sensitization. Cutaneous tests, specific IgE measurements, conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests, and peak-flow measurements during working days were performed.

Background: Formoterol is a highly effective therapeutic agent in the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Regular use of beta-adrenergic drugs may result in a reduction in the protective effect afforded by these bronchodilators against bronchoconstrictor stimuli. It is unknown whether this effect extends to formoterol and exercise., Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, parallel clinical trial in 19 patients with EIB. Each patient received inhaled formoterol or placebo twice daily during 4 weeks. Patients performed two exercise tests in a cycle ergometer on the 1st, 14th, and 28th study days separated 3 hours from each other. A dose of formoterol was given 30 min prior to the 2nd test., Results: There were significant differences in bronchoprotection between days 1 and 14 (p = .012) and between days 1 and 28 (p = .012) in the formoterol group. No differences were found in the placebo group. The evolution of the bronchoprotection index was also significantly different between the formoterol and the placebo group (p = .002) from day 1 to 28., Conclusions: Tachyphylaxis developed to the protective effect of formoterol against EIB after 4 weeks of regular dosing. Tolerance was already found on day 14, though not progressive. Formoterol should be recommended only as needed in EIB.

A 19-year-old man exhibited symptoms of immediate urticaria and angioedema related to contact with raw potato. A prick-by-prick test with potato pulp and rub test were positive. Specific IgE to potato was positive (class 2).

Fixed drug eruption from paracetamol is not rare but no cases of nonpigmented fixed drug eruption caused by paracetamol have been previously described. We present the case of a woman who developed a nonpigmented fixed drug eruption following administration of paracetamol. Patch tests performed on affected and unaffected skin with paracetamol were negative. The diagnosis was made by a double-blind oral challenge with paracetamol. The patient tolerated aspirin.

We present our study of four patients with occupational type I allergy to red midge larvae (group 1) who we compared with seven individuals also sensitized to red midge larvae but who had not apparently been exposed to them (group 2). All patients showed elevated specific IgE against Chironomus thummi, and positive skin prick tests (SPT) and provocation tests with red midge larvae. We carried out SPT with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, shrimp, cockroach and common mosquito (Culex pipiens) and specific serum IgE was also determined. The red midge larvae wheal size was significantly larger in group 1 (x = 149.2 mm2) than in group 2 (x = 18 mm2). Significant differences between levels of IgE anti-C. thummi were also found in group 1 (x = 52.12 kU/l) and in group 2 (x = 1.5 kU/l). The patients in group 2 had high levels of specific IgE against other allergens (D. pteronyssinus, shrimp and/or common mosquito) and had positive SPTs with these allergens, while the patients in group 1 were only sensitized to chironomids. The IgE-immunoblotting profile was quite different in both groups. The patients in group 1 seemed to have IgE against Chi t 1, the main Chironomus allergen, while the patients in group 2 had IgE against several protein bands in Chironomus, mosquito, shrimp and D. pteronyssinus extracts, some of them with equivalent molecular weights. We believe that the patients in group 2 were sensitized to Chironomus as a result of cross-reactivity with other insect or crustacean species.

Background: The vine (Vitis vinifera) is a cultivated plant that is found in some European and American countries. Its pollen gathers in small quantities during a short pollination period in the months of May and June. Allergy to vine pollen has not been previously documented., Objective: We sought to describe a case report of allergy to vine pollen documented on the basis of anamnesis, cutaneous, provocation, and specific IgE determination tests., Methods: An allergenic extract was obtained from collected V vinifera pollens by aqueous standard procedures. Pollen counts and pollination periods of this and other common pollens in the area where the patient became symptomatic were studied. Cutaneous tests and the presence of specific IgE to the pollen extracts were performed by prick, CAP, and RAST techniques. Bronchial and conjunctival tests with the involved pollen extracts were also carried out to identify the sensitizing allergens. Five healthy subjects and 5 pollinic patients were used as control subjects and underwent the same tests., Results: Skin prick test responses with vine pollen at different concentrations were positive for the studied patient and negative for the control subjects. Patient serum revealed a total IgE titer of 334 IU/mL and a specific IgE value of 1.3 PRU/mL (RAST class 2) to vine pollen. Bronchial and conjunctival provocation test responses were also positive when the patient was challenged with V vinifera extract., Conclusion: Exposure to the pollen of the vineyard plants (V vinifera) can induce immunologic sensitization and rhinoconjunctivitis/asthma.

Background: Omeprazole is a non-competitive inhibitor of the parietal cell enzyme H+-K--adenosine triphosphatase. To date, two cases of angioedema and urticaria and two cases of anaphylaxis from omeprazole have been published., Objective: To report a new patient with omeprazole-induced anaphylaxis demonstrated by skin tests and increased serum tryptase levels., Methods and Results: Elevated serum tryptase levels (5.1 U/L) were detected 6 hours after the onset of the anaphylaxis. Skin intradermal tests were positive with omeprazole i.v. (4 mg/mL), omeprazole capsules diluted in saline serum (20 mg/ mL), and lansoprazole (30 mg/mL). Serum specific IgE anti-omeprazole was negative., Conclusions: According to the elevated serum tryptase levels and the positive skin test results, anaphylaxis was due to use of omeprazole. We think the adverse reaction to omeprazole was induced by an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity mechanism to omeprazole itself and not to a metabolite. We have also demonstrated crossreactivity, at least by skin tests, between omeprazole and lansoprazole.

We report a patient who experienced systemic anaphylaxis after several mosquito bites. The skin tests were positive, by prick and intradermal tests, with two species of common mosquito (Aedes communis and Culex pipiens) and also with red midge larvae (Chironomus). Specific IgE against Aedes communis was demonstrated. We carried out SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with whole body extracts of Aedes communis and Culex pipiens and with red midge larvae. The immunoblotting results showed specific IgE against two proteins of approximately 30 kDa with the extract of Culex pipiens. We also found IgE against one protein of a slightly lower molecular weight with Aedes communis, and against several proteins (the most important with a molecular weight between 30 and 70 kDa) with the Chironomus extract. Cross-reactivity between these insect species was suspected.

Chironomid larvae (red midge larvae) are often used by aquarists as fish food. Their hemoglobins can cause IgE-mediated allergic diseases in exposed and unexposed people. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of positive skin tests to chironomids in patients suffering from rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma in Ciudad Real (Spain). A total of 465 patients were submitted to skin prick tests with chironomids in addition to common inhalant allergens. The patients with positive skin prick test (wheal > or = 3 mm) to these larvae answered a questionnaire. Skin prick tests with Acarus siro, shrimp, cockroach and mosquito (Culex pipiens) were carried out. Serum levels of total IgE and anti-Chironommus thummi, anti-Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, anti-shrimp, and anti-mosquito (Aedes communis) IgE were determined. Conjunctival or nasal provocation tests were carried out with chironomids. Of the 465 patients skin tested, 19 showed a positive skin prick test with chironomids, corresponding to 4.1% of all patients and 6% of the atopic patients. None were monosensitized. Significant correlations were found between skin prick test results with chironomids and mites (p < 0.005). Of the 19 patients, 15 had positive skin prick test with the common mosquito C. pipiens. Seven patients showed elevated anti-D. pteronyssinus IgE, six elevated anti-shrimp IgE, and 10 showed elevated anti-A. communis IgE. Provocation tests with chironomids were positive in 14 patients (four nasal and 10 conjunctival tests). Conjunctival provocation tests were carried out in 16 controls and were positive in three; all three showed positive skin prick test with chironomids. One patient had occupational allergy from the larvae (aquarist). After mosquito bites, five patients showed immediate wheal reactions and one patient suffered an anaphylactic reaction after several mosquito bites. Only two patients remembered having been in contact with chironomids as fish food. We found hypersensitivity to these larvae in patients without apparent contact to them. These patients could have become sensitized in various ways, including: 1) inhaling particles of chironomids or others that are cross-reactive with them; 2) exposure to products used as fish food containing chironomids; and, 3) through cross-reactivity with other allergens such as mites, shrimp or mosquitoes.

We hereby present a patient suffering several episodes of anaphylaxis (generalized urticaria, dyspnea, wheezing and intense cough) a few minutes after taking different drugs containing paracetamol. Intradermal test with pure paracetamol (100 mg/ml) was positive. It was negative in six controls. Serum specific IgE anti-paracetamol (by RIA) was negative. Anaphylaxis from paracetamol is rare but has been reported. Positive skin test with paracetamol have only been rarely described.

We describe eight patients suffering from Mercurochrome allergy. Patch and prick tests were carried out with the following organic and inorganic mercury compounds: thimerosal, Mercurochrome, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, metallic mercury, and mercuric chloride, and with sodium fluorescein. Two patients had an anaphylactic reaction a few minutes after application of Mercurochrome. The prick tests with Mercurochrome were positive and they were negative with the other tested products. All patch tests were negative. In the other six patients, the clinical picture was local eczema, and the patch tests were all positive with Mercurochrome and the inorganic mercuric derivatives. Positive patch tests with thimerosal were found only in two patients, and only one had a positive patch test with salts of phenylmercury. In four patients, the prick test with Mercurochrome, negative in immediate reading, gave a late eczematous reaction.

Sensitization to the flower of saffron, a plant commonly grown in Spain for commercial purposes, and its clinical significance as an occupational allergen were studied. The prick test and RAST, with saffron pollen, stamen, and pistil extracts, were used to evaluate the cutaneous and specific antibody responses in the studied population. Provocation tests in patients with clinical findings were used to verify the implication of saffron components in these symptoms. Fifty saffron workers were evaluated. Three of them were sensitized to saffron pollen and stamen proteins, giving prick and RAST positive values. One patient presented asthma, showing a positive bronchial provocation test, and two patients rhinoconjunctivitis, showing positive conjunctival provocation tests. Of a general allergic population of 237, 10 patients also presented cutaneous test and IgE positive to saffron. Saffron allergens (from pollen and stamens) were characterized by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting. A relevant allergen of 15.5 kDa with profilinic nature was detected and further purified by high-resolution gel filtration chromatography. No allergenic components were demonstrated in pistils. Cross-reactivity of saffron extracts was evaluated by RAST inhibition with respect to other pollen species commonly causing sensitization in the same area of study. A significant degree of cross-reactivity was demonstrated between saffron and Lolium, Salsola, or Olea. The identification of the protein components involved in the cross-reactions was investigated by blot inhibition.

We have studied the plasma kallikrein amidolytic activity in healthy control subjects (inactive), patients with chronic urticaria (active) and patients with acute urticaria (active) from their admission to the emergency room (active) to the time after which their clinical symptomatology had disappeared (inactive). We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in the active groups of urticaria patients. This leads us to believe that kallikrein participates in the development of symptomatology in these patients.

We have investigated plasma kallikrein amidolytic activity in the following groups of patients: 1. Normal control group of blood donors. 2. Extrinsic pollen-activated bronchial asthma patients, during periods of symptomatology and at a later time after the spring. 3. Subjects with atopic bronchial asthma in acute phase when admitted to our hospital's emergency room and later when clinically recovered. 4. Subjects with extrinsic bronchial asthma, sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae with FEV1 < 80%. 5. Subjects with extrinsic bronchial asthma, sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronissinus and Dermatophagoides farinae in a state of clinical rest. After 9 minutes of activation, the following results were found, with a significance of p < 0.01: There are significant differences between the normal group and those that we consider the active groups, asthma FEV1 < 80%, pollen-sensitive asthma in springtime and acute asthma. No significant differences exist between the normal group and inactive groups, inactive asthma, pollen-sensitive asthma out of springtime and acute asthma inactive. Significant differences exist in active groups (acute asthma and pollen-sensitive asthma in springtime) when they become inactive (acute asthma inactive and pollen-sensitive asthma out of springtime). The active groups have a higher plasma kallikrein amidolytic activity than both the inactive and control groups.