The ultrastructure of the nasal mucosa following theuse of intranasal levocabastine was studied in 20 patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis. The patients received twice daily 0.05 per cent levocabastine spray with a treatment duration of four weeks. At the end of the treatment period regression of the allergic process was evidenced by progressive reappearance of normal cilia and microvilli on the columnar cells, decrease of intercellular oedema andcytoplasmic vacuoles, increased number of mucous acinar cells, gradualdecrease of vascular congestion, as well as diminished oedema fluid formation. The drug, however, had no effect on mast cell degranulationnor on eosinophilic infiltration. Normalization of the ultrastructural features correlated well with clinical improvement.
Considering the results of the present study, levocabastine nasal spray appears to be an effective treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis and can be used with, or as an alternative to, other anti-allergic medications.
