Total and antigen- (fungi, mites and staphylococcal enterotoxins) specific IgEs in nasal polyps is related to local eosinophilic inflammation.

BACKGROUND

Total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in nasal polyps (NP) is related to local eosinophilic inflammation. However, it remains unclear which antigens cause a stronger accumulation of eosinophils in NP. We investigated whether local IgEs to specific antigens correlated with local eosinophil accumulation.

METHODS

Total IgE, antigen-specific IgEs [5 species of fungi, staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B (SEA and SEB), cedar pollen, ragweed pollen and house-dust mites] and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured in sinus mucosa homogenates and serum from 29 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with NP (CRSwNP), 8 patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and 8 control subjects without CRS. The level of ECP in NP was analyzed for correlations with the total and specific IgE levels in the serum and NP.

RESULTS

In CRSwNP, antigen-specific IgEs [Alternaria > mite (Dp) > Aspergillus > SEB > Penicillium > mite (Df), but not the other fungi, SEA or pollens] in the sinus mucosa correlated significantly with the local ECP. In AFRS, antigen-specific IgEs [Penicillium > mite (Df) > Alternaria, but not the other fungi, SEs or pollens] in the sinus mucosa correlated significantly with the local ECP.

CONCLUSIONS

Local total IgE and antigen (fungi, mites and SEs)-specific IgEs in NP are related to the local eosinophilic inflammation of AFRS and CRSwNP.