OBJECTIVETo investigate the serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) or chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps(CRSWP), and its relations with allergic symptoms in patients with AR.

METHODSThe ECP in serum and Phadiatop tests were detected by UniCAP100 system. Blood sample was taken from 87 patients with inhaled AR, 49 patients with CRSWP and 20 healthy individuals. The serum ECP levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The allergic symptoms in patients with inhaled AR were graded.

RESULTSPhadiatop level was 5185.0 [983.0, 14469.0] Fu in inhaled AR, 317.5 [125.0, 526.8] Fu in CRSWP with Phadiatop positive, 30.0 [28.0, 43.0] Fu in CRSWP with Phadiatop negative and 43.5 [29.0, 105.0] Fu in healthy individuals. The level of ECP in patients with inhaled AR was 24.8 [14.6, 49.1] microg/L, higher than that in CRSWP with Phadiatop positive 7.7 [3.3, 25.6] microg/L, CRSWP with Phadiatop negative 12.5 [6.7, 16.7] microg/L and control 8.8 [5.4, 20.2] microg/L. The difference was significant. There were correlations among the allergic symptoms, serum ECP and Phadiatop levels.

CONCLUSIONSAmong patients with inhaled AR, there was an up-regulated concentration of serum ECP, which had relations to allergic symptoms. The detection of serum ECP could be used as a convenient screening test for inhaled AR. Its concentration had correlation with the severity and prognosis of the disease. To the contrary, the serum ECP did not significantly increased in patients with CRSWP.