Blood Eosinophil and Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein as a Marker of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Children with Suspected Asthma.
- Author:
Yang PARK
1
;
Hee KANG
;
Eun Kyeong KANG
;
Young Yull KOH
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Gunpo, Korea. kohyy@plaza.snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Children and Adolescent;
Airway Inflammation;
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness;
Eosinophil;
Eosinophil Cationic Protein;
PC20
- MeSH:
Asthma*;
Biomarkers;
Child*;
Eosinophil Cationic Protein*;
Eosinophils*;
Humans;
Inflammation;
Inhalation;
Methacholine Chloride
- From:Journal of the Korean Pediatric Society
2002;45(12):1577-1584
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Airway inflammation is considered to be a characteristic feature of asthma, and eosinophils are recognized as the most important inflammatory cells. This study aims to assess the importance of blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) levels as a non- invasive marker of bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) in children with suspected asthma. METHODS: This study used data from 87 subjects with asthma-like symptoms(6-18 years old). The FEV1 and provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1(PC20) on methacholin inhalation challenge test were measured. Four groups were classified based on PC20[Group I : <2 mg/ mL; Group II : 2-8 mg/mL; Group III : 8-18 mg/mL; Group IV : (18 mg/mL), and blood eosinophil count and serum ECP levels were analyzed. In addition, subjects were classified based on the cutoff value of PC20(BHR positive group : <18 mg/mL; BHR negative group : (18 mg/mL). Then blood eosinophil count and serum ECP level were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Likelihood ratio test for trends revealed a significant association between the blood eosinophil count or serum ECP level, and the degree of BHR as measured by methacholine PC20. Blood eosinophil count or serum ECP level was significantly higher in the BHR(+) group than in the BHR(-) group. Blood eosinophil count had a positive correlation with serum ECP level. CONCLUSIONS: Blood eosinophil count and serum ECP level may be a useful non-invasive clinical marker of BHR in subjects with suspected asthma. This supports the hypothesis that BHR in asthma is a consequence of airway eosinophilic inflammation.
