Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Editorial

“…[4][5][6][11][12][13]39 The nasal obstruction due to the mucosal edema was evaluated by means of nasopharynx-nostril pressure gradient (NPG) parameters, which are the pressure differences (⌬P) between the nasopharyngeal cavity and the outside air, expressed in cmH 2 O. NPTs were performed using the following schedule: (1) baseline values recorded at 0, 5, and 10 minutes; (2) PBS control values recorded at 0, 5, and 10 minutes after a 3-minute application of PBS to the nasal mucosa of the nonintubated nasal cavity by means of a saturated wad of cotton wool on a nasal probe inserted under the middle turbinate; (3) postchallenge values recorded after a 3-minute challenge with allergen, performed in the same manner as the challenge with PBS, at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, and then every hour up to the 12th hour, and every second hour between the 24th-38th and 48 th -56th (60th) hour. [4][5][6][11][12][13] The NR was considered to be positive when the postchallenge NPG values increased by at least 2.0 cmH 2 O (mean Ϯ SE, 1.2 Ϯ 0.3) with respect to the baseline values, recorded at least at three consecutive time intervals.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] The allergic component involved in allergic rhinitis has classically been attributed to the IgE-mediated hypersensitivity on involvement of mast cells (basophils), eosinophils, and Th2 lymphocytes. [1][2][3][4] However, evidence has already been gathered for possible involvement of other hypersensitivity mechanisms in patients with allergic rhinitis. 2,4,[7][8][9][10] Patients with nasal allergy may develop various nasal response (NR) types to nasal provocation with allergen (nasal provocation test [NPT]).…”

“…2,[4][5][6][7][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] The immediate/early NR (INR), late NR (LNR), and dual LNR (DLNR; a combination of an immediate and a late) response types have been already extensively investigated by several authors and also analyzed in our previous studies. [1][2][3][4][5][6]11,12,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Additionally, an unusual NR type appearing later than 24 hours after the allergen challenge had been recorded in ϳ7% of the allergic rhinitis patients at our department. 4,11 This response, beginning within 26-32 hours, reaching its maximum within 32-36 hours and resolving within 56 hours after the NPTs, has been designated by us as the delayed NR (DYNR).…”

“…[2][3][4]12,13, However, there is a dearth of information concerning the appearance and changes in the counts of individual cell types in NSs accompanying particular NR types to allergen challenge recorded by rhinomanometry, especially those associated with the DYNR. 4,[11][12][13]20,21 The purpose of this study, being a continuation of our earlier work, 4,[11][12][13][35][36][37][38] was (1) to investigate the changes in the counts of particular cell types in the NSs during the DYNR and (2) to evaluate the significance of such changes for the diagnostic approach as well as for the clarification of the immunologic mechanism(s) underlying the clinical DYNR.…”

Allergic rhinitis in the elderly: A pilot study of the role of vitamin D

“…Vitamin D can exert an immunomodulatory effect via its activity on T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, mast cells, monocytes and macrophages [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Among these cells, mast cells and lymphocytes are particularly key players in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (15). Previous studies have shown that serum vitamin D levels are inversely related to allergic rhinitis [16,17].…”