Influence of exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke on the eosinophil count in the nasal mucosa of young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background: To assess the influence of exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke on the eosinophil count and the frequency of apoptosis of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods: Fifty patients were evaluated (aged 10 to 19 years old): 25 patients with and 25 patients with no recent exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke, by means of The Global Youth Tobacco Survey and cotinine/creatinine ratio. After a clinical evaluation, all the patients replied to a validated questionnaire of the severity of nasal symptoms; then, a nasal sample was processed to identify the eosinophil count and the frequency of apoptosis of eosinophils. Results: Patients with active exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke had higher eosinophil counts than patients with no exposure to the smoke. In the two groups, apoptosis of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa was scarce and no significant correlation was observed between the frequency/severity of the nasal symptoms and the eosinophil count. Conclusion: Teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis and active exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke may show increased eosinophil counts in the nasal mucosa, which might not be related to apoptosis of eosinophils or to the frequency/severity of nasal symptoms.

Effect of cigarette smoke on counts of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils on the nasal mucosa in young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

“…The relationship between the count of eosinophils and the body mass index, observed in the whole group of patients, is in agreement with previous reports showing a proportional relationship between the body mass index and allergic diseases of the airways. 15 , 28 , 29 Although further studies are needed to understand its meaning.…”

“… 14 In teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis, patients exposed to tobacco cigarette smoke, compared with those with no exposure, may have an increased count of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa. 15 In patients with asthma smoking increases eotaxin levels. 16 …”