Role of Nasal Smear for Eosinophils in Patients of Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction: Our environment in changing rapidly which has led to the increase in cases of allergies. Allergies can manifest on different parts of our body. Among all the sites allergic rhinitis is one of the common presentations in all the age groups. In this study we are trying to see the feasibility of the nasal smear for eosinophils in allergic rhinitis patients. To evaluate the nasal smear for eosinophils in the patients with allergic rhinitis and compare it with the blood eosinophil level.

Methods: Descriptive (Cross sectional) study of the patient with allergic rhinitis presenting in the department of ENT in KIST medical college and teaching hospital.

Results: Allergic rhinitis was commonly seen in 29 years of age with female predominance. Out of 44 allergic rhinitis patients, 13 of them had significant eosinophilia in nasal smears. Most of the patient with nasal allergies showed that they had mild eosinophilia in the nasal smear whereas there was no evident eosinophilia in the blood.  The nasal smear eosinophilia and blood eosinophilia were correlating in the severe allergic cases.  In most of the patients with nasal allergy there was no significant family history.

Conclusion: Nasal smear for eosinophils can be a readily available, less invasive and less expensive test in the allergic rhinitis patients.