[Intrinsic asthma].

Although asthma is often regarded as a manifestation of atopy, many asthmatics are not atopic. As compared to atopic ("extrinsic") asthma, nonatopic ("intrinsic") asthma occurs later in life, mostly in females, and nasal polyposis, aspirin sensitivity and steroid dependence are common. In this patient population, there is no history of allergy, skin prick testing is negative for all aeroallergens tested and total as well as specific immunoglobulin E serum levels are within the normal range. Epidemiological studies and analysis of bronchial mucosal expression of "pro-eosinophilic" and "pro-atopic" markers demonstrate that there are more similarities than differences in immunopathology between atopic and nonatopic asthma.