Local class switching in nonallergic rhinitis

Abstract

Purpose of review: Patients with seasonal and/or persistent symptoms consistent with rhinitis but negative systemic testing for atopy can be diagnostically challenging. It has been postulated that such idiopathic or nonallergic rhinitis may be due to localized class switching and production of IgE in the nasal mucosa, a process which has been termed entopy by some authors. This review analyzes the available data to describe the current understanding of this process as it relates to nonallergic rhinitis.

Recent findings: Recent findings have demonstrated local IgE production in the nasal mucosa of patients who are otherwise negative on skin prick, intradermal, or serum testing for atopy. Comparable studies on nonatopic asthmatics have demonstrated evidence of local IgE class switching in lung respiratory mucosa. However, local class switching has only been unambiguously demonstrated in rhinitis patients when atopy is otherwise confirmed by routine testing.

Summary: There is significant evidence to indicate that local class switching in nonallergic rhinitis is possible; however, this has not been definitively proven. The question is raised as to whether local class switching can be demonstrated in nonallergic rhinitis and whether that class switching can be determined to be a specific affinity matured response. If present, a local IgE-mediated process is likely to define a cohort of nonallergic rhinitis more likely to respond to allergy-targeted therapies.