Increased occurrence of IgE(+) and Fc(epsilon)RI(+) cells in adenoids fromatopic children

Background: To examine the influence of atopy on the different cell populat ions in adenoids, we investigated the presence of IgE(+) cells, cells expre ssing the high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc(epsilon)RI(+)), and various ot her cell populations in adenoid tissue, in atopic and nonatopic children wi th otitis media with effusion (OME) or adenoid hyperplasia (AH). Methods: Cryostat sections of adenoids from 14 atopic and 16 nonatopic chil dren suffering from long-lasting OME (n = 15) or obstructive AH (n = 15) we re investigated with immunohistochemical markers for T-cell subsets, mast c ells, eosinophils, plasma cells, CD25, CD1a, IgE, and Fc,RI. Results: Sensitization to allergens was correlated to an increase of IgE(+) cells in the epithelium (P < 0.01), the extrafollicular area (P < 0.0001), and the follicles (P < 0.001) of the adenoids and an increase of Fc(epsilo n)RI(+) cells in the extrafollicular area (P < 0.01). A minority of the IgE (+) cells were plasma cells. No significant differences in cells stained fo r IgE, Fc(epsilon)RI(+) or the other markers were observed between patients with OME and AH. Conclusions: Atopy is associated with increased numbers of IgE+ and Fc(epsi lon)RI(+) cells in adenoids irrespective of whether the child has OME or AH .