[Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in perennial allergic rhinitis].

Background: The study of perennial allergic rhinitis is a good model to evidence the unbalance between Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. This functional unbalance is manifested by the exaggerated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a reduction of the antiinflammatory ones.

Objective: To corroborate these alterations in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. PATIENTS AMD METHOD: In nine patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who had no immunotherapy treatment we measured the IFNgamma, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 levels through a flow citometry.

Results: We found high levels of IL-10 (42%) and reduced IFNgamma values. We did not find IL-4 or IL-13 expressions in the studied patients.

Conclusions: These results make us to consider a Th1/Th2 unbalance towards a Th2 hyperfunction.