title: The nasal smear for eosinophils. Its value in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Nasal smears for eosinophils obtained by nose blowing and/or posterior nasopharyngeal swabbing were stained with Wright's or Hansel's stains and read in three groups of children aged 4 to 15 years: 65 with seasonal allergic rhinitis, 42 with perennial rhinitis and negative skin tests, and 70 nonallergic controls. Of smears obtained by either or both methods, 69%, 11%, and 7% were positive (greater than or equal to 4%) in the three groups, respectively. Almost identical results were obtained using only the nose-blowing method. In children with seasonal nasal symptoms, the nasal smear for eosinophils appears to be a reliable diagnostic test with moderately high sensitivity and high specificity.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling