IMPORTANCE OF ALLERGIC ETIOLOGY IN NASAL POLYPOSIS

Sensitization to environmental allergens in nasal polyposis was evalua ted in an in vitro study conducted on 90 patients undergoing polypecto my by measuring total and specific IgE for a panel of common allergens and levels of IgG, IgA and albumin in serum, and nasal secretions (NS e). Fifty healthy individuals were chosen as a control group. Total Ig E concentrations were higher in patients with nasal polyps than in con trols. RAST was positive in serum in 34 (38%), in NSe in 29 (32%), and exclusively in NSe in 10 patients (11%). Allergens most frequently in volved were mites and cat dander. No differences were found between th e study and control groups for serum and NSe IgA, albumin, and serum I gG, whereas IgG in NSe were significantly higher in patients with nasa l polyps. Subjects with positive RAST only in NSe had significantly lo wer secretory IgA than did controls. Our data indicate that in nasal p olyposis: 1) sensitization to aeroallergens is relatively common; 2) a local production of specific IgE may occur, especially for perennial allergens; 3) prolonged exposure to these allergens gives rise to chro nic nasal inflammation, with altered local production of immunoglobuli ns.