[An electron microscopic study of the relation between epithelial cell damage and eosinophilia in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal allergy].

To determine the relationship between epithelial damage and eosinophilia in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal allergy, we examined the nasal mucosa (obtained by surgery) from 74 patients with allergic rhinitis, using light and electron microscopy. The extent of eosinophilia correlated significantly to grades of epithelial damage and torn tight junctions of the epithelial cells. No significant relationships were found between the severity of nasal symptoms and the extents of eosinophilia or grades of torn tight junctions of the epithelial cells. More than 50% specific granules in eosinophils in the allergic nasal mucosa showed normal findings. There were no significant relationships between the extent of eosinophil degranulation and grades of epithelial damage. Based on our results, the release of tubular vesicular structures from the eosinophil granule may be one form of eosinophil degranulation in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal allergy.