The role of the eosinophil in nasal diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The eosinophil is involved in physiologic and pathologic processes, such as asthma, parasitic diseases, granulomatous disorders, fibrosis, malignant tumors and several sino-nasal diseases.


BACKGROUND
Recent data on the structure and function of the eosinophil provides additional information regarding the pathophysiology and the treatment options of these diseases. In this paper the most recently acquired data on the role of the eosinophil in allergic rhinitis (with or without bronchial asthma), chronic sinusitis (with or without nasal polyposis) and allergic fungal sinusitis are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
The data provides evidence regarding the pivotal role of the eosinophil in sino-nasal diseases. Possible ways to target the eosinophils are discussed.
Eliashar
Ron
R
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. ron@eliashar.com
Levi-Schaffer
Francesca
F
D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007377:Interleukin-3; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D015847:Interleukin-4; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein