Pattern of Inflammation and Impact of Staphylococcus Aureus Enterotoxins in Nasal Polyps from Southern China

Abstract

Background This study analyzes the impact of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SAEs) and the inflammatory pattern in polyps from China. Methods Nasal tissue was obtained from 27 consecutive bilateral nasal polyps and 15 control patients and assayed for eotaxin, interleukin-5, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, myeloperoxidase, eosinophil cationic protein, total IgE, and specific IgE to SAEs. Activated eosinophils were stained using EG2 antibodies in polyps from Chinese and comparative white patients. Results The number of EG2+ eosinophils was significantly lower in polyps from Chinese patients versus white patients. Chinese polyps showed significantly increased IgE and soluble interleukin-2 receptor versus control samples, whereas TGF-β1 was significantly decreased. Ten of 27 samples in the polyp group versus 0 of 15 controls contained SAE-IgE (p < 0.01). TGF-β1 was significantly down-regulated in SAE+ samples versus SAE- samples (p = 0.04). Conclusion Nasal polyps from China are characterized by B- and T-cell activation, a minor eosinophilic inflammation compared with polyps from white subjects, and a decrease in TGF-β1 in comparison with control inferior turbinate tissue. One-third of patients with polyps showed an IgE response to SAEs.