Immunoglobulins in Nasal Secretions and Nasal Mucosa in Perennial Rhinitis

Abstract

Quantitative identification of albumin, and immunoglobulin G, A, M and E in the nasal secretion and serum was done in 25 patients with perennial rhinitis and in 15 normal subjects. By immunofluorescent microscopy of biopsies from the inferior turbinate immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells were identified by using FITC-marked antiglobulin against IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE. The presence of IgG and IgA in the nasal secretion and serum was not significant, and there was no difference between normal and patient groups. IgM was detected in nasal secretion in the patient group, probably due to increased permeability of the mucosa. This explanation is supported by the fact that albumen was also found in a rather high concentration in the patient material. The presence of IgM-producing plasma cells was more frequently found in the patient group than in the control subjects and in those patients where presence of these cells was proved, a higher concentration of IgM in serum was shown, possibly indicating a generally increased IgM activity. This was also the case with IgE. Furthermore, increased IgE in both nasal secretion and serum was found in the patient group. Identification of antigen-specific IgE (RAST) in nasal secretion gave poorly reproducible and uncertain results which could not be correlated with the results from screening of serum.