Allergen-Mucosal interactions within the Laryngopharynx: the
case for a distinct Allergy Phenotype
While the laryngopharyngeal mucosa shares anatomical continuity with the
nasal and lower airway epithelium, few studies have investigated its
potential for an inherent IgE-mediated response to inhaled allergens in
sensitised individuals[14 , 16 , 23 ]. Recent
reviews provide comprehensive insights into this topic [14 ,16 , 18-21 , 23 , 35 , 36 ].
Collectively, these studies highlight epidemiological data which implies
elevated respiratory allergy prevalence within UCTS populations and
underscore the presence of mast cells within the laryngopharyngeal
mucosa. Further reference is made to small scale provocation data which
identifies eosinophilic inflammation of laryngopharyngeal tissues
following allergen exposure in both animal and preliminary human
studies. Collectively, this small but emerging literature offers a
unified position which posits the existence of a distinct and
potentially overlooked phenotype of respiratory allergy, provisionally
termed ’Allergic Laryngitis’ (AL).