Abstract
Objective
To investigate the clinical significance of specific IgE‐staphylococcal enterotoxin B (IgE‐SEB) in CRS (chronic rhinosinusitis).
Design
Retrospective analysis of patients who were positive for specific IgE‐staphylococcal enterotoxin B.
Setting
Tertiary rhinology clinic.
Participants
A total of 965 patients who were tested for specific IgE‐staphylococcal enterotoxin B from December 2016 to December 2017.
Main outcome measures
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 965 patients who were tested for specific IgE‐staphylococcal enterotoxin B from December 2016 to December 2017. Patient demographics, titre‐specific IgE to staphylococcal enterotoxin B levels, MAST, serologic test and medical records were reviewed.
Results
IgE‐SEB (KU/L) was higher in CRS patients than non‐CRS patients (0.13 ± 0.37 vs 0.08 ± 0.22, respectively; P‐value: .044), and the IgE‐SEB (+, ≥0.35) rate was also higher (10.06% vs 4.46%, respectively; P‐value: .030). IgE‐SEB (KU/L) was higher in the CRS group than in the fungal sinusitis group (0.13 ± 0.37 vs 0.03 ± 0.05, respectively; P‐value: <.001), and the IgE‐SEB (+, ≥0.35) rate was also higher (10.06% vs 0%, respectively; P‐value: .015). Between the CRSsNP (chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps) and CRSwNP (chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps) groups, there were no differences in IgE‐SEB (KU/L) or IgE‐SEB (+) rates. IgE‐SEB positivity was not associated with the presence of polyps, concomitant asthma or postoperative recurrence. As the values of IgE‐SEB (KU/L) and the IgE‐SEB (+, >0.1) rate increased, the CRS severity also increased.
Conclusions
IgE‐SEB showed a positive correlation with Lund‐Mackay CT severity score, but not with postoperative recurrence or nasal polyps. Further studies are needed to obtain clear evidence that IgE‐SEB can be considered as an independent CRS endotype.