The nasal smear for eosinophils. Its value in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

R. E. Miller, J. L. Paradise, G. A. Friday, P. Fireman and D. Voith

Nasal smears for eosinophils obtained by nose blowing and/or posterior nasopharyngeal swabbing were stained with Wright's or Hansel's stains and read in three groups of children aged 4 to 15 years: 65 with seasonal allergic rhinitis, 42 with perennial rhinitis and negative skin tests, and 70 nonallergic controls. Of smears obtained by either or both methods, 69%, 11%, and 7% were positive (greater than or equal to 4%) in the three groups, respectively. Almost identical results were obtained using only the nose-blowing method. In children with seasonal nasal symptoms, the nasal smear for eosinophils appears to be a reliable diagnostic test with moderately high sensitivity and high specificity.