RESUMO
The significance and protective efficacy of surface secretions on mucosal membranes in the upper airways are well recognized. The aim of our study was to reveal the role of the adenoids as a source of cellular components in the mucosal secretion. The adenoid removed because of its hypertrophy and the samples of surface secretions taken by "imprint method" described by Ebenfelt et al. from the group of 38 children were examined. By flow cytometry the lymphocyte subsets with following antigens: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD23, CD16+56, CD45RA, CD45RO, HLA-DR were analyzed. The results were compared between the groups of younger and older children and in the group of concomitant otitis media with effusion (OMS) and pure adenoid hypertrophy. The percentage of lymphocyte subsets in adenoid and secretion were similar, except for lymphocytes Th with memory phenotype which were more numerous in the adenoid and lymphocytes B CD23+ which were more numerous in the secretion. In the adenoid the percentage of T and Th lymphocytes increased with age and the percentage of B lymphocytes decreased. In the secretion the percentage of lymphocytes Th and B CD23+ was higher among older children. In cases of otitis media with effusion higher percentage of lymphocytes B (CD19+ and CD19+CD23+) and lower of lymphocytes Ts and Th with naive phenotype were observed in the secretion. In adenoid however lower percentage of lymphocytes B and higher of lymphocytes Ts was observed in cases of OMS.
