Association of T cells and eosinophils with Staphylococcus aureus exotoxin A and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 in nasal polyps

Staphylococcus aureus exotoxins (SEs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between SEs and T cells in NPs. After a nasal smear culture, the nasal lavage fluid and NP tissue were obtained from 30 CRS with NP (CRSwNP) patients. The control samples were taken from 10 normal individuals. The presence of S. aureus exotoxin A (SEA) and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) was verified through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemical staining for CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was performed, followed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for eosinophils. The PCR analysis and immunohistochemical staining for SEA and TSST-1 showed a significantly higher expression in the NP group when compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the number of T cells and eosinophils were notably increased in the NP group when compared with that in the control group. Significant correlation was observed between the results of the culture, PCR, and immunohistochemical staining in the NP group. Moreover, the number of T cells and eosinophils was significantly increased in the positive experimental groups, when compared with that in the control group. Our results indicate that there was, indeed, some correlation between the expression of SE in the nasal cavity and the increased number of T cells and eosinophils in NPs.