Mediators and cytokines in allergic and viral-triggered rhinitis.

Intermittent allergic rhinitis and common cold constitute frequent conditions and show similar clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of cytokines in the nasal fluid of patients with acute symptoms caused by allergic and viral rhinitis. Nasal secretions were analyzed by immunosorbent assay techniques using a cytokine panel assay and routine ELISA.

Latex allergy, a special risk for patients of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery?

A total of 206 patients of the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) department and 204 of the visceral surgery department of the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich were preoperatively evaluated for latex-specific sensitization. A prick test, a questionnaire, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoprecipitation for IgE antibodies were performed. Latex is a widely spread allergen, and it does not only concern healthcare populations.

[Polyposis nasi--improvement in quality of life by the influence of leukotrien receptor antagonists].

Background: Sulfido-Leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators of bronchial asthma, intolerance of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), polyposis nasi and allergic rhinitis. Receptorantagonists like Montelukast constitute a well-established asthma- and ASA intolerance-therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in patients Health-Related-Quality-of-Life (HRQL) during Montelukast-monotherapy of nasal polyposis.