Abstract
Background:The role of infectious agents and their contribution to the inflammation in chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis (CS/NP) is not clear. Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins have superantigen activity and have been implicated in inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and asthma.Objective:We investigated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies to staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the serum of individuals with CS/NP.Method:IgE antibodies to staphylococcal exotoxins, A, B, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, B, and C were measured in 23 individuals with CS/NP before functional endoscopic sinus surgery and in controls (7 atopic and 6 nonatopic) individuals without chronic sinusitis. Presence of IgE to the toxins was also correlated with disease severity on sinus computed tomography (CT) scans.Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxin specific IgE antibodies were detected in 18 of 23 (78%) and 7 of 21 (33.3%) patients, respectively. None of the controls had IgE to the staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins (P <. 0001). There was no association between radiographic severity of sinus disease and the presence of IgE antibody to the toxins.A significantly greater proportion of CS/NP patients had IgE to staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins. Evidence of IgE antibodies directed against staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the sera of patients with CS/NP suggests a potential role of these toxins with established superantigen effects in the pathogenesis of CS/NP.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1822-1826 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Laryngoscope |
| Volume | 114 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2004 |
Keywords
- Chronic sinusitis
- sinonasal polyps
- staphylococcal toxins
- superantigens
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology