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Allergic and idiopathic rhinitis: an ultrastructural study

  • Rhinology
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Abstract

Nasal hyperreactivity is one of the most important underlying mechanisms in both allergic (AR) and idiopathic rhinitis (IR). In order to study the pathomorphological changes in this entity, tissue samples from patients with AR, IR, and from patients without chronic inflammation were taken during nasal surgery. Primary antibodies against Substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (NOS III) were applied and the immunocomplexes were visualized by immunocytochemistry. The nasal mucosa of patients with AR and IR showed similarities on the ultrastructural level. Neurogenic inflammation was indicated by a strong innervation pattern with sensory nerve fibers containing SP and CGRP. We could show that extensive edema and cellular infiltration might be characteristic for AR. On other hand there was no evidence of eosinophilic or NO involvement in IR. Finally, on the ultrastructural level, AR and IR showed many similarities. Based on these findings anti-inflammatory therapy modalities could be recommended for both types of rhinitis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mrs. Vogtlaender, Mrs. B. Wolfsteller, and Mrs. K. Kriese for the technical assistance. Financial support was provided by the German Research Society (DFG, KN 501/1-2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 12, 06097, Halle, Saale, Germany

    Stephan Knipping

  2. Pathological Institute, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 12, 06097, Halle, Saale, Germany

    H. J. Holzhausen

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany

    A. Riederer

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Helios Bad Saarow, Bad Saarow, Germany

    T. Schrom

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  1. Stephan Knipping
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Correspondence to Stephan Knipping.

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Knipping, S., Holzhausen, H.J., Riederer, A. et al. Allergic and idiopathic rhinitis: an ultrastructural study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266, 1249–1256 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0898-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0898-z

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