Nasal secretions from patients with polyps and healthy individuals, collected with a new aspiration system: evaluation of total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations.

This study was designed, first, to test a new system for aspiration of human nasal secretions and, secondly, to evaluate protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in these secretions at different levels of secretory activity. The direct aspiration system combines the advantages of minimal irritation of the nasal mucosa with the facility to determine concentrations per gram of secretion. The total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations were inversely related to the amount of secretion obtained. Variations in fluid secretion throughout the day may be responsible for this relationship. The inverse relationship was much more significant in patients with nasal polyps, in which much higher concentrations were found, than in healthy subjects. Ratios of immunoglobulin to total protein were independent of the amount of secretion obtained. Compared to the controls, the ratios of IgM and IgG to protein in the secretions of the patients were significantly increased. The secretory immunoglobulin A to total protein ratios were only slightly higher in the patients' secretions.