Title and Copyright:
Nasal Embryology, ©2004.

Media:
Adobe Illustrator.

Collaborator:
David Conley, MD, and Robert Kern, MD; Department of Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University; Chicago, Illinois.

Description:
The Superantigen Hypothesis proposes that colonized toxigenic strains of staphylococcus aureus secrete one or more exotoxins that stimulate multiple cell types present in the nasal mucosa. The best characterized and presumably most important effects are on dendritic cells and T lymphocytes resulting in T-cell proliferation and cytokine release. Released cytokines are believed to potentiate local mucosal inflammation and recruit eosinophils through IL-5 release. In addition, these superantigenic toxins can also be processed as typical allergens further augmenting eosinophilic tissue inflammation.

Published as:
Conley D. Panel discussion, “Superantigens and chronic rhinosinusitis.” American Rhinologic Society Annual Meeting; New York, NY: September 2004.

Kern RC, Seiberling KA, Conley DB, Haines K, Tripathi A, Walsh WE, Schleimer RP, Grammer LC. Fungi, staphylococci and the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis. Am J Rhinology (submitted).

Kern RC (presenter), Seiberling KA, Conley DB, Haines K, Tripathi A, Walsh WE, Schleimer RP, Grammer LC. Fungi, staphylococci and the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis. American Rhinologic Society, Combined Spring Otolaryngology Meetings; Boca Raton, FL: May 14, 2005.