Rinotsitogramma scrapings from the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity

A rhinocytogram is the analysis of nasal discharge under a microscope to determine the causes of rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

With the help of this analysis, it is possible to identify the nature of rhinitis – allergic, infectious, or vasomotor.

Normally, there are a large number of microbes in the nasal cavity (some types of staphylococci, streptococci, etc.) that do not harm humans due to the body's immune response.

If, for some reason, local immunity decreases (with hypothermia, for example), microbes can lead to inflammation, which manifests itself in the form of acute rhinitis - a disorder of nasal function accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane and runny nose.

In addition, rhinitis can be caused by airborne droplet viruses (pathogens of ARD, influenza, etc.).

As a result of the immune system's response, the number of white blood cells in the nasal mucosa increases.

There are several varieties of them, with bacterial infections, neutrophils play the main role in protecting the body, and with viral infections, lymphocytes.

Macrophages may also appear.

In case of allergy, the body is affected by an allergen, such as pollen, wool, dust, etc., to which the immune system is hypersensitive.

At the same time, eosinophils appear in large quantities in nasal mucus.

There is also vasomotor rhinitis - chronic rhinitis of a non-inflammatory nature, which can manifest itself when air temperature changes (sudden changes in temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, weather changes), when taking certain medications, with hormonal changes in the body (during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, use of contraceptives), as a result of stressful situations, etc.