The Eosinophilic Changes in Rhinorrhea due to Nasal Allergy

Since the early part of the twentieth century, many authors have claimed that eosinophilia is found in the nasal secretions and blood of patients with allergic diseases. This observation has now become an established fact, and recent evidence based on extensive investigation, suggests that the eosinophil may play an active role in allergic disease. Thus, we report changes in nasal eosinophils in a group of nasal allergy patients treated by specific hyposensitization. The following results were obtained; 1. Eosinophilia was noted in 52.8 percent of untreated nasal allergy patients. 2. The eosinophilic count was gradually decreased with increasing S.D.V.(specific desensitizing vaccine) hyposensitization.

The Electron Microscopic Study of Enzymes in Eosinophils

The author has made the electron microscopic study of enzymes in eosinophils in order to clearify the influence of hyposensitization in allergic rhinitis to the activity of enzymes in eosinophilic granules and the following results were obtained. 1. In all 3 control, hyposensitization and allergic groups, eosinophilic granules with matrix and crystalloid core in circulating blood and tissue was observed. 2. In all 3 groups, activity of acid phosphatase was not found in neutrophil, basophil, macrophage and glands as a form of coagulated activating colony of acid phosphatase. 3. In control and hyposensitizing groups, number of eosinophils were smaller than that was counted in allergic group. Activity of peroxidase in granule was weak and granular out flowing and rupture of cell membrane were not observed. 4. In allergic group, eosinophil count was high, activity of peroxidase in granule was strong and granular out flowing and rupture of cell membrane were severe. At the same time, many vacuoles, which were suspected to be the result of phagocyte the protein as foreign substance, wag observed. Judging from the fact that eosinophil has a specific relation to allergic diseases and the activity of peroxidase that exist as an enzyme in eosinophilic granule is strong, it is believed that the major function of eosinophil is phagocytosis of antigen, or antigen-antibody complex. On the other hand, the fact that activity of peroxidase was weak in hyposensitizing group lead us to believe that the activity of peroxidase may be used as an indicator for detecting hyposensitizing status in the treatment of allergic disease.

Clinical and Statistical Study of Allergens in the Allergic Rhinitis

One hundred and one cases with allergic rhinitis were statistically analysed and 40 students without any allergic symtoms as control group were chosen and nasal eosinophile count were performed. The following results were obtained: 1. Among 101 allergic cases the male and female ratio was 4:5. 2. In 54.5%(55 cases) of the allergic group and 15%(6 cases) of the control group showed a positive reaction in the allergic skin test, but no significant sex difference was found. 3. In the 55 allergy positive cases. the peak incidence was in the 4th decade (27.3%) and next in order was the 3rd and 5th decade age group (21.8%). 4. Twenty six causative allergens by skin test were identified and the most frequent allergens were the animal hairs (43.3%) pre dominantly cat, dog and horse and next in frequency were the pollens (34.7%) and house dust (14.0%). 5. The most sensitive allergic reaction was to the house dust and appeared before the 5th year, animal hairs from 6~9 years, and pollens in the 2nd~3rd decade groups. 6. Among 150 positive reactions in 55 patients, ++(60) was the most frequent reaction level and next in order was +(58), +++(26) and ++++(6). 7. The allergic rhinitis due to food was only 2% which included two cases of mussel and a case of mushroom sensitivity. 8. Only 27% of the cases with positive skin, test showed single allergen sensitivity and 73% were multiple allergen sensitivity. 9. The most common combination of multiple allergens was between a variety of animal hairs, animal hairs and house dust, animal hairs and pollens, a variety of pollens and house dust in that order. 10. Among 101 cases of allergic rhinitis, 56.4% (57 cases) showed nasal eosinophilia and 64.9% (30 cases) of these revealed a positive skin test.