Nasal cytologies--impact of sampling method, repeated sampling and interobserver variability.

The influence of sampling technique, repeated sampling and the interobserver variability on quantitative analysis of nasal cytologies were explored. Nasal cytologies from 12 healthy and 4 allergic volunteers were repeatedly collected with a total of three different sampling techniques. Cells were demonstrated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and by immunostaining for CD45 and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO).