Abstract: To explore the histopathological characteristics of nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis, and to determine the expression of Eotaxin-1 and its relationship with eosinophili infiltration. MethodsTwenty cases of nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis and fifteen cases of normal inferior turbinate mucosa were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemical staining for Eotaxin-1 protein and HE staining for eosinophils were performed in two groups. Results① Lost epithelium and squamous metaplasia were usually observed in nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis. In the stroma there were a lot of lymphocyte, eosinophil and phagocyte infiltration, sometimes there were a lot of fibrocytes, also there were briskly capillary hyperplasia, but there were no fungi in the nasal mucous. ② Eotaxin-1 constitutively expressed in the inferior turbinate mucosa and highly expressed in nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis (P＜0.05). Eotaxin-1 immuno-reactivity was mostly determined in the epithelium and vascular endothelial cells. Some eosinophils and phagocytes in the stroma were also identified as Eotaxin-1 positive cells; ③ Tissue eosinophilia in nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis was associated with the expression of Eotaxin-1 protein (P＜0.05). ConclusionFungi are probably responsible for tissue eosinophilia by increasing the Eotaxin-1 protein in nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis. Eotaxin-1 antagonist may contribute to the treatment of nasal polyps with fungal ball rhino-sinusitis.

Key words: Nasal polyp, Eosinophil, Sinusitis, Eotaxin-1, Fungi