Study of Eosinophil Count in Nasal and Blood Smear in Allergic Respiratory Diseases

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are two very common allergic diseases of respiratory tract in pediatric patients. In this geographical area, where the prevalence of allergens exists, the role of allergens as the etiological factor is higher in allergic respiratory disorders. Confirmation of allergen as etiologic agent is cumbersome in a small setup, where IgE estimation and allergy tests are not accessible. In this study, the simple test of peripheral smear and nasal smear eosinophil count as a reliable diagnosis to solve the above problem and establishing allergy as etiological agent has been tried. Material and Methods: For the present study which was conducted over 2 years in children between 2 to 12 years who visited tertiary health care center, Nashik. The allergic respiratory cases based on typical history and clinical features were included in the study and investigated for nasal and blood eosinophilia. Children with TB, recurrent and chronic pneumonia, malnutrition, malignancy, collagen vascular disorders and those who are on steroid therapy were excluded from the study. The clinical profile of allergic rhinitis with or without asthma and nasal and blood eosinophils are studied. Result: Out of 100 patients, there was male predominance and incidence was increasing as age increases. Dust is the most common risk factor for allergic rhinitis followed by weather changes, whereas in allergic rhinitis with bronchial asthma, weather change is common risk factor followed by dust and family history. In children with allergic rhinitis with or without bronchial asthma, there is positive relation between nasal and peripheral smear eosinophil count. Conclusion: So, nasal eosinophil count which is simple, non-invasive, economical and reliable can be used as an alternative to invasive peripheral smear eosinophil count as both are equally efficacious in diagnosing allergic respiratory diseases.