We examined the contribution of neutrophil in chronic rhinitis with polyps, especially in allergic rhinitis. The investigation was conducted on 21 patients. Twelve had allergic rhinitis, five Ñ infectious rhinitis and four Ñ aspirin intolerance. We identified neutrophil elastase and eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) in polyp tissue using immunoenzymatic method. We determined the coexistence of degranulated neutrophils and eosinophils and the damaged epithelium.
Results: In the group with allergic rhinitis 5 subjects had rich infiltrations of neutrophils with an extracellular elastase deposition and the damaged epithelium in the immediate area. Degranulated eosinophils were not found at those areas.
Conclusion: We can conclude that both eosinophils and neutrophils are present in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis. They have an ability to release the contents of their granules in complex pathophysiological processes, which cause substantial lesion of the epithelium. The neutrophil can play an important role in some kinds of allergic rhinitis. This role has not yet been fully recognized and require further research.

Keywords: allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, Neutrophils, Eosinophils