Allergy and asthma in elite summer sport athletes Ilkka Helenius, MD, PhDa,b, Tari Haahtela, MD, PhDa Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Volume 106, Issue 3, Pages 444-452 (September 2000) DOI: 10.1067/mai.2000.107749 Copyright © 2000 Mosby, Inc. Terms and Conditions
Fig. 1 During training and competition, highly trained swimmers inhale large amounts of air that floats just above the water surface. Possibly they also microaspirate water in the trachea and bronchi. Therefore they are repeatedly and strongly exposed to disinfecting agents (eg, chlorine derivatives). (Courtesy of Finnish Swimming Association). Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2000 106, 444-452DOI: (10.1067/mai.2000.107749) Copyright © 2000 Mosby, Inc. Terms and Conditions
Fig. 2 Eosinophilic airway inflammation (differential cell count of eosinophils 4.3%) in an induced sputum sample from a 20-year-old, national team, female swimmer.38 She reported exercise-induced cough, wheeze, and breathlessness repeatedly in connection to swimming pool training. Additionally, she showed moderate bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a histamine challenge test (provocative dose causing a 15% decrease in FEV1 = 0.36 mg). Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2000 106, 444-452DOI: (10.1067/mai.2000.107749) Copyright © 2000 Mosby, Inc. Terms and Conditions