Clinical features of cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocyte deficiency in chronic rhinosinusitis patients: a demographic and functional study.

Background: Identification of Staphylococcus aureus intracellularly in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) suggests an underlying cellular immunodeficiency. Supporting this, we have previously reported low CD8+ (cytotoxic) T-lymphocyte levels in a subpopulation of CRS patients and identified polymorphisms in the CD8A gene associated with CRS. In order to better understand the role of low CD8+ in CRS, we wished to determine the phenotype for CRS/Low CD8+ in comparison to that of conventional CRS.

Expression of the extracellular matrix gene periostin is increased in chronic rhinosinusitis and decreases following successful endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a potentially important component of mucosal immunity. ECM dysregulation in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is suggested by genomewide association studies identifying ECM genes as top candidates. Further support is afforded by the demonstration of increased expression of periostin (POSTN) in CRS biopsy samples compared to controls, and by reported roles in eosinophilic inflammation and steroid responsiveness.

Linking laryngopharyngeal reflux to otitis media with effusion: pepsinogen study of adenoid tissue and middle ear fluid.

Hypothesis/objectives: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) was recently implicated in the etiology of otitis media with effusion (OME). To study the hypothesis that gastric juice reaches the middle ear through the nasopharynx and eustachian tube, we evaluated the presence of pepsinogen in the adenoid tissues of children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and compared them with the tissues of a control group of children without OME.

Methods: In the study group, middle ear effusions (MEEs) and adenoidal tissue biopsies were obtained from patients undergoing simultaneous tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy.