A standardized filter paper technique for assessing nasal secretory activity

Abstract

Summary A simple filter paper technique for estimating nasal secretory activity (NSA) was studied in 179 healthy adults. The technique was reproducible and NSA correlated independently with age and race (P < 0.001 in each case) but not with sex or smoking habits. Subjects with a past history of atopic disease (asthma, rhinitis or eczema) produced significantly more nasal secretion than those without such a history (P<0.03). Among the former there was no significant difference in quantity of secretion recovered between those with and those without a past history of rhinitis. Increased NSA appears to be a marker of the atopic state and its measurement could be of value in the management of patients with allergic nasal disorders.

Norm values for eosinophil cationic protein in nasal secretions: influence of specimen collection

“…Methods based upon absorption have been described based on the use of materials such as cellulose sheets (filter paper) [46][47][48], cotton stripes [35] and rubber-foam. They are based on capillary suction and thus remove the serous sol phase of the biphasic nasal mucus.…”

Assessment of Upper Respiratory Tract and Ocular Irritative Effects of Volatile Chemicals in Humans

“…A standardized technique was described by Knowles and colleagues using filter paper. 292 A similar technique has been used by Baroody and colleagues not only to collect small amounts of secretions, but also to perform nasal challenges. 293,294 In order to increase the amount of secretions collected other investigators have used samples of absorbent foam rubber.…”

On the use of absorbing discs to sample mucosal surface liquids

“…It is attractive to sample tracheobronchial and nasal mucosal surface liquids because their composition reflects the airway condition in health and disease. A simple and therefore attractive technique is to use absorbing paper discs [1][2][3][4]. However, this technique has not been extensively validated.…”