Mucosubstance histochemistry of the maxillary sinus mucosa in experimental sinusitis: a model study on rabbits.

The histochemical properties of mucosubstances within the sinus mucosa were examined in rabbits affected with experimental sinusitis, induced either by blocking the maxillary sinus ostium (occlusion group) or in addition by an inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal group). An increase in periodic acid-Schiff positive epithelial secretory cells was found, as well as regeneration of goblet cells in the epithelium from the 2nd week. The goblet cells proved to contain periodate-reactive acid mucins, particularly during the early stages, as well as periodate-unreactive, purely acid mucins which were prevalent throughout the study. Among the alcian blue positive goblet cells, 0-40% (usually 5-20%) contained acid sialomucins, while the rest stained positive for sulphomucins. The submucosal glands and the large lateral nasal and maxillary glands were not histochemically influenced by the induced inflammatory state. No obvious difference in the histochemical staining pattern was seen between the two groups. A comparative microbiological analysis of the groups was also included in the study.