Link Between Sinusitis and Asthma: Role of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B
Author Information
Author(s): Liu Tao, Wang Bin-Quan, Yang Ping-Chang
Primary Institution: Institute of Allergy and Department of Otolaryngology, the First Hospital, Shanxi Medical University
Hypothesis
CRS derived SEB might be a factor in the induction and maintenance of low airway hypersensitivity.
Conclusion
The study suggests a possible link between chronic rhinosinusitis and lower airway hypersensitivity, with Staphylococcal enterotoxin B playing a role in sustaining Th2 responses.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with both CRS and asthma showed improvement in asthma symptoms after sinus surgery.
- Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 normalized postoperatively in patients.
- SEB was required for maintaining Th2 response in cultured PBMCs.
Takeaway
The study found that treating sinusitis can help improve asthma symptoms, possibly because of a substance called Staphylococcal enterotoxin B that affects the immune system.
Methodology
38 patients with both CRS and asthma underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and their serum IgE and cytokines were evaluated before and after surgery.
Potential Biases
Symptoms of CRS and asthma were provided by the patients, which might introduce bias in the results.
Limitations
The study has not proved that SEB is also required to maintain the antigen specific Th2 cell activity in vivo.
Participant Demographics
38 patients (21 females and 17 males, mean age 28.5 years) with both CRS and asthma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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