Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of persulphate on the nasal mucosa and on the immune cells in hairdressers suffering from bleaching powder associated rhinitis (BAR) versus subjects with rhinitis not previously exposed to bleaching powder.
Methods: Fifteen hairdressers (S) with BAR, 14 without symptoms (WS) and 12 atopics (A) with rhinitis but without exposure to bleaching powder were studied. Each performed a nasal challenge with persulphates. Effect parameters were symptom score, acoustic rhinometry, albumin in nasal lavage, subpopulations of lymphocytes in blood and specific serum antibodies.
Results: The S group had a post-challenge increase in nasal symptoms and nasal lavage albumin. The A group reacted to a lesser intent. The S and A groups showed an increase in Th1 cells. An HLA class II cell expression was noticed in both groups of hairdressers. No evidence of a type 1 reaction (immediate type) to persulphate was noticed.
Conclusions: Persulphate challenge affects hairdressers with BAR, but also atopics. The reaction may be driven by a Th1 cell activation.