In vitro histamine release from nasal mucosa upon bacterial antigens

Polyposis of the nose has been discussed as to be caused by hypersensitivity. Therefore, in vitro histamine release from nasal mucosa upon different bacterial and synthetic antigens was measured using a radioenzymatic assay. Also anti-human IgE mediated and basic release from specimens were determined. In total, 12 patients with polyposis and 21 patients with septal deviation or conchal hyperplasia were tested. Histamine release was significantly increased upon anti-IgE in polyposis only. The incubation of mucosal biopsies with the antigens on the average caused a slight elevation of histamine release in the same group. In contrast, specimens of patients with other diseases did not respond to anti-IgE or bacterial antigens. The specific increase of histamine-release from polyps after challenge with anti-IgE and similar spontaneous release in all tested individuals indicate a different pattern of mucosal reactivity in patients suffering from nasal polyposis.