Comparison of eosinophil biomarkers related to blood eosinophil cutoffsin adult asthma
10.4168/aard.2026.14.1.20
- Author:
Hyun-Seob JEON
1
;
Hwa Young LEE
;
Jee-Eun SUH
;
Eun Mi YANG
;
Ga-Young BAN
;
Hae-Sim PARK
Author Information
1. Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
2026;14(1):20-25
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Asthma is characterized by chronic type 2/eosinophilic inflammation in the airway mucosa. This study aimed to explore the clinical value of 2 cutoffs of blood eosinophil counts (≥ 300/μL and ≥ 150/μL) in eosinophilic asthma, with relation to eosinophilderived neurotoxin (EDN), a surrogate marker of eosinophilic activity.
Methods:To compare clinical features and eosinophil-related mediators according to 2 cutoffs of peripheral blood eosinophil counts (≥ 300/μL and ≥ 150/μL), 137 adult asthmatics who had maintained antiasthmatic medications, including inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta 2 agonist, without biologics, were enrolled. EDN levels in serum, urine and sputum were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.
Results:Patients with asthma and higher blood eosinophil counts ( ≥ 300/μL) had a higher prevalence of severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, partly controlled/uncontrolled status, and higher levels of sputum eosinophils and EDN in serum/sputum than those with lower blood eosinophil counts (< 300/μL). When compared between patients with asthma having higher blood eosinophils ( ≥ 150/μL) and those with lower eosinophils ( < 150/μL), there were no differences in symptom severity, control status or lung function parameters.
Conclusion:These findings suggest that blood eosinophil count ≥ 300/μL may identify asthma patients at higher risk for severity and heightened eosinophil activity, supporting its utility as a biomarker in a real clinical setting.
