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Published on: January 21, 2018
Multiallergen nasal challenges in nonallergic rhinitis
Dania A Wierzbicki1, Amee R Majmundar, Diane E Schull
1Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-8859, USA.
Localized allergy in nonallergic rhinitis is rare. Nasal allergen challenges in patients with negative skin tests showed inconsistent results, suggesting this localized allergy may not be reproducible in this population.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Nonallergic rhinitis may involve localized nasal allergy.
- Nasal allergen challenges can identify IgE-mediated allergies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of localized allergy in nonallergic rhinitis patients with negative skin prick tests.
- To assess nasal challenges with various allergens in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Twenty individuals with perennial rhinitis and negative skin tests underwent nasal challenges.
- Allergens included glycerin, Alternaria, cockroach, timothy grass, cat hair, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
- Outcomes measured: symptom scores, peak nasal inspiratory flow, and nasal eosinophils.
Main Results:
- Four patients were hyperresponsive to glycerin.
- Eleven patients had negative nasal challenges.
- Five patients showed positive challenges to seven allergens, but these were not reproducible on repeat testing.
Conclusions:
- Some nonallergic rhinitis patients may exhibit positive nasal allergen challenges.
- However, these findings were not consistently reproducible in the studied group.
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