[Immunological features of patients with polypous ethmoiditis]

34 patients with nasal polyps (NP) and 12 normal individuals were studied immunologically to investigate association of nasal polyp formation with disorders of general and local immunity. In NP patients there were decreased preoperative and early postoperative levels of peripheral blood T- and B-lymphocytes, functional activity of lymphocytes and neutrophils. In contrast to normal individuals, nasal secretion of NP patients contained degenerative epithelial cells and neutrophils, activated lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils. Nasal polyp tissues obtained after polypectomy contained more B-lymphocytes than T-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes and neutrophils in nasal polyps had elevated functional activity in tissue culture. We conclude that local hyperactivation of T- and B-lymphocytes as well as neutrophils contribute much to nasal polyp formation.