ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Nasal cytology for eosinophils has been reported to be very useful for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship of the appearance of nasal eosinophils with the levels of total eosinophil counts, total IgE, and house dust mite specific IgE in child patients with symptoms of rhinitis. METHODS: Two hundred seventy eight children with symptoms of rhinitis less than 16 years of age were recruited and evaluated for the following variables: total eosinophil counts, total IgE concentrations, house dust mite specific IgE concentrations, and nasal cytology for eosinophils. RESULTS: The rate of appearance of nasal eosinophils graded as positive rose as the children's age increased. The levels of total eosinophil counts, total IgE concentrations and house dust mite-specific IgE concentrations were significantly higher in children with nasal eosinophils graded as positive than those with less than 5 percent of nasal eosinophils. The rates of appearance of nasal eosinophils graded as positive below and above 250/microL of total eosinophil counts, 250 kUa/L of total IgE concentrations, and 2 kUa/L of house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae) specific IgE concentrations were 16 and 41 percent, 27 and 56 percent, and 13 and 68 percent, respectively CONCLUSION: The levels of total eosinophil counts, total IgE concentrations, and house dust mite specific IgE concentrations correlate significantly with the recovery of nasal eosinophils in children with symptoms of rhinitis.
