[Local (exclusive) IgE production in the nasal mucosa. Evidence for local allergic rhinitis]

Endotyping of non-allergic, allergic and mixed rhinitis patients using a broad panel of biomarkers in nasal secretions

Background

Endotyping chronic rhinitis has proven hardest for the subgroup of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) patients. While IgE-related inflammation is typical for allergic rhinitis (AR), no markers have been found that can be seen to positively identify NAR. A further complication is that AR and NAR might co-exist in patients with mixed rhinitis. As previous studies have considered only a limited number of inflammatory mediators, we wanted to explore whether a wider panel of mediators could help us refine the endotyping in chronic rhinitis patients.

Objective

To endotype chronic rhinitis, and non-allergic rhinitis in particular, with help of molecular or cellular markers.

Method

In this study we included 23 NAR patients without allergen sensitizations and with persistent rhinitis symptoms, 22 pollen sensitized rhinitis patients with seasonal symptoms, 21 mixed rhinitis patients with pollen-related symptoms and persistent symptoms outside of the pollen season, and 23 healthy controls without any symptoms. Nasal secretions were collected outside of pollen season and differences between the endotypes were assessed for a broad range of inflammatory mediators and growths factors using a multiplex ELISA.

Results

Although we were able to identify two new nasal secretion makers (IL-12 and HGF) that were low in mixed and AR patients versus NAR and healthy controls, the most intriguing outcome is that despite investigating 29 general inflammatory mediators and growth factors no clear profile of non-allergic or mixed rhinitis could be found.

Conclusion

Classical inflammatory markers are not able to differentiate between non-allergic or mixed rhinitis patients and healthy controls.

Nonallergic rhinitis and lower airway disease

In the past years, several investigators have demonstrated the existence of local nasal responses in some patients with typical allergic rhinitis symptoms but without atopy and have defined a new phenotype called local allergic rhinitis (LAR) or 'entopy'. In a percentage of LAR subjects, the upper airway disease is also associated with lower airway symptoms. After the description of this phenotype, the differential diagnosis between LAR and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) has become a challenge for the clinician. To correctly identify LAR patients is of high importance for treatment and management of these patients, and for an appropriate inclusion of patients in clinical trials and genetics studies. The treatment of LAR patients, in contrast with NAR, is oriented to allergen avoidance and specific treatment. Allergen immunotherapy, the aetiological treatment for allergic respiratory diseases, has demonstrated to be an effective and safe treatment in LAR, increasing immunological tolerance, and reducing the clinical symptoms and the use of medication. In this article, the important and novel aspects of LAR in terms of mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment will be discussed. Also, the involvement of the lower airway and the potential role of IgE in the bronchial disease will be also reviewed.

Nonallergic Rhinitis: Treatment

Chronic nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is a syndrome rather than a specific disease. A lack of understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition has led to imprecise terminology with several alternate names for the condition, including vasomotor rhinitis, nonallergic rhinopathy, and idiopathic rhinitis. The therapy for NAR is best based on the underlying pathology, which typically exists in a form whereby an abnormality of the autonomic nervous system is dominant or a form in which inflammation seems to be the cause of symptoms. In general the most effective therapy is the combination of an intranasal antihistamine and an intranasal corticosteroid.

[Local allergic rhinitis to Alternaria alternata : Evidence for local IgE production exclusively in the nasal mucosa]

In a subgroup of patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), no systemic sensitization can be detected in skin tests or serum. These patients are considered to be afflicted with so-called "local allergic rhinitis" (LAR) with IgE-production exclusively at the site of the nasal mucosa. Patients without any positive allergy test results but seasonal (intermittent) or perennial (persistent) allergic symptoms were often misdiagnosed as having "non-allergic rhinitis" (NAR) in the past.However, there is evidence for a specific IgE-production in the nasal mucosa in these patients without systemic sensitization. The diagnosis of LAR is confirmed by clinical symptoms, the detection of specific IgE production in the nasal mucosa and/or nasal provocation tests.We report on two cases of LAR to Alternaria alternata with symptoms of persistent allergic rhinitis that have been diagnosed by positive allergenspecific nasal challenge tests and specific IgE determinations in nasal secretions.According to an actual literature research, this is the second report published on LAR caused by Alternaria alternata.

Local allergic rhinitis in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is characterized by the production of specific IgE in the nasal mucosa and a positive response to a nasal provocation test in the absence of atopy by conventional measurements. There is no information about LAR in elderly people, just as there is little information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in this age group.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of LAR, AR, and non-AR in elderly patients with rhinitis.

METHODS

In 219 patients with a mean (SD) age of 65.81 (5.88), skin prick tests, serum total specific IgE, and nasal provocation tests against common aeroallergens were performed. In addition, nasal specific IgE was measured in the nasal lavage at baseline and after provocation. For monitoring nasal symptoms, a visual analog scale was used.

RESULTS

Of the 219 patients, 46 (21.0%) had LAR, 88 (40.2%) had AR, and 85 (38.8%) were diagnosed as having non-AR. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the main sensitizing aeroallergen in patients with LAR (29 patients [63.0%]) and with AR (48 patients [56.4%]). No significant differences were found between the visual analog scale score and the type of AR (local or nonlocal) and the types of allergens. Clinical responses during the nasal provocation test were associated with significant increases in nasal IgE (Spearman correlation test, R = 0.89, P < .05). Polysensitization was more predominant in patients with AR than in those with LAR (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that LAR and AR are common in elderly patients. However, in this age group, these conditions are often underdiagnosed.