The kinetics of the cytologic and rhinomanometric changes in the nose after challenge with allergen.

The objective of these experiments was to study the dynamics of the cytologic and rhinomanometric nasal reaction after allergen challenge. For this purpose a micro-suction system was developed to repetitively and atraumatically collect nasal secretions. Outside of the pollen season, four patients allergic to grass pollen were challenged with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and, two weeks later, with grass pollen. Six control subjects were challenged with PBS only. Repetitive nasal secretion samplings over three days and rhinomanometry (PAR) were performed. Analysis of samplings taken before allergen challenge proved the atraumatic character of the micro-suction and provocation methods. Coupling the obtained dynamic data of nasal cytology and PAR, the following observations could be made: 1) Higher number of eosinophils in patients in the absence of antigen, compared to controls, suggesting a constitutional characteristic of atopy. 2) A close temporal association between cytological and clinical events occurring during the late phase of the allergic reaction. Nasal obstruction seems to be correlated with the influx of eosinophils rather than with their absolute concentration.