Released intranasal eosinophilic major basic protein as a diagnostic marker for polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypothesis that eosinophil major basic protein is released in high concentrations in the nasal mucus of patients with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
Single center, open, prospective trial.


METHODS
Medical University of Graz, Austria.


METHODS
Patients with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis (n = 23) were compared to three different control groups: patients with chronic rhinosinusitis-like symptoms but without general mucosal thickening, patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery for reasons other than chronic rhinosinusitis, and patients without sinus disease (total n = 21). Mucus was harvested from each patient using a standardized technique and analyzed for eosinophil major basic protein with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
In the patient group with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis, 20 of 23 (87%) were positive for eosinophil major basic protein. In contrast, only one control patient was positive, whereas the remainder had no detectable amount of eosinophil major basic protein in the mucus (P < 0.001 vs chronic rhinosinusitis).


CONCLUSIONS
Toxic eosinophil major basic protein levels are elevated in polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis patients compared to control groups that have similar clinical presentations but upon closer examination turn out not to have chronic rhinosinusitis. In the future, the detection of eosinophil major basic protein in nasal mucus may become a sensitive and specific marker for chronic rhinosinusitis and a helpful diagnostic tool.
Schmid
Christoph
C
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. christoph.schmid@meduni-graz.at
Habermann
Walter
W
Braun
Hannes
H
Gugatschka
Markus
M
Oriel
Brad S
BS
Smietana
Janel A
JA
Stammberger
Heinz
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein