Summary
Aim of the work. To evaluate the association between nasal secretion eosinophil count and allergen specific markers in patients with allergic rhinitis.
Objectives. Determine the frequency of allergen sensitization in patients with allergic rhinitis. Determine the association of nasal secretion eosinophil count with allergen specific markers. Evaluate the dependence of eosinophil amount on the prevalence and sensitization frequency of in haled al ler gens, also analyze the association of nasal secretion eosinophil count with allergen sensitization. Examine the association of blood eosinophil count with nasal secretion eosinophil amount and allergen-specific markers.
Methods. Total of 34 patients with allergic rhinitis were studied. Nasal secretion smear was obtained to examine nasal eosinophil amount. Skin prick test was performed to assesssensitization to allergen in patients. Allergen specific IgE were measured using ALEX diagnostic method.
Results. Allergen spe cific IgE were found in 84% of all sub jects: 27% of them were sensitized to 3 allergens, 35% to 4–8 and 8% to 9–15 allergens. Most commonly detected in halant allergens were: catepithelium (47%), timothy grass (37%), birch (34%) and dust mites (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae) (28% of each). 80% of patient’s nasal secretion smears contained more than 5% eosino - phils. No statistically significant association between nasal eosinophil amount and sensitization to allergens was identified. 46% of patients were allergic to a combination of in haled out door and indoor allergens, 29% to indoor allergens and 25% to outdoor allergens. There was no statistically significant difference between mentioned groups in terms of nasal secretion eosinophil amount. No statistically significant difference between nasal secretion smear eosinophil amount and the frequency of sensitization (monosensitization, oligosensitization, polysensitization) was identified. Also, no statistically significant dependence of nasal secretion eosinophil amount on sensitization to indoor and outdoor allergens was obtained. Eosinophil count in blood within the normal range was identified in 78% of patients. No statistically significant relationship between eosinophil count in blood and nasal secretion eosinophil amount was identified. A statistically significant relationship btween blood eosinophil count and allergen sensitization was identified.
Conclusion. Based on the results of the study it can be stated that there is no association between nasal secretion eosinophil count and inflammatory and allergen-specific markers in patients with allergic rhinitis.
