Increase in CD45RO(+) cells and activated eosinophils in chronic allergic conjunctivitis

We assessed the infiltration of CD45RO(+) cells in conjunctival biopsies of fifteen subjects affected by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis by means of immunohistochemistry. Correlations between infiltration of CD CD45RO(+) cel ls and serum and mucosal indices of eosinophilic activation were investigat ed. The study was performed in autumn and all selected patients showed much less than red eyes much greater than also in absence of sensitising pollen s. Fifteen healthy subjects were used as controls. The semi-quantitative count of CD45RO(+) cells in biopsy specimens demonstr ated that positive cells were higher in allergic patients than in controls (p < 0.001) and EG2(+) eosinophils were present only in biopsies of allergi c patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation ( r = 0.73; p < 0.001) between CD45RO(+) lymphocytes and EG2 positive eosinop hils, was observed in the biopsies of allergic patients. Total serum IgE si gnificantly correlated with CD45RO(+) cells (r = 0.61; p < 0.02) and EG2(+) eosinophils (r = 0.67; p < 0.01) in the conjunctiva. On the other hand ser um ECP did not correlate with any histological and immunohistochemical para meters in the conjunctival biopsies. The present study shows that mild symptoms in SCA patients out of pollen se ason are asso- ciated with inflammation of the conjunctiva as shown by an i ncreased number of CD45RO and EG2 positive cells.