Minimal persistent inflammation is also present in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
The allergic reaction is characterized by an inflammatory response, which is correlated to the allergen exposure, and is detectable in mite allergic patients, even when symptoms are absent.


OBJECTIVE
The study was aimed at assessing the presence of inflammation in patients with pollen allergy during a long observation period.


METHODS
Six patients, sensitized only to Betula alba, were enrolled. Evaluated parameters were (1) nasal symptoms, (2) inflammatory markers (ie, neutrophil and eosinophil number and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells), and (3) pollen count. Patients were examined during the pollen season every 4 days for 40 days and were observed 3 times after the pollen season.


RESULTS
A significant inflammatory reaction was evident throughout the pollen season, even during the days with a low pollen count and low or absent symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that the global therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis should be revised and targeted to inflammatory phenomena rather than to symptoms alone.
Ricca
V
V
Allergy Section, Koellider Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Landi
M
M
Ferrero
P
P
Bairo
A
A
Tazzer
C
C
Canonica
G W
GW
Ciprandi
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1