Non-atopic IgE and eosinophil cationic protein after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

Ann Hematol. 2012 Jun;91(6):949-56. doi: 10.1007/s00277-011-1402-1. Epub 2012 Jan 12.

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in childhood is associated with severe pulmonary complications, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the association of total and specific IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophilia in HSCT recipients with pulmonary complications. We prospectively measured total and specific serum IgE, eosinophils, and ECP before and 28, 100, and 180 days after HSCT. We included 30 children (age 2-17 years) undergoing HSCT. Nine patients had a history of previous atopy without being associated with pulmonary complications after HSCT until day +360. Specific IgE levels showed a decline after HSCT, associated with the absence of allergy symptoms, suggesting a reduction of atopy. Elevated total serum IgE levels occurred in seven patients on day +28 after HSCT. This elevation did not coincide with allergy symptoms. ECP showed no correlation with total allergy symptoms, eosinophilia, IgE levels, or pulmonary complications. There was a significant correlation (p = 0.0367) between ECP levels on day +28 and concurrent acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Non-atopic serum ECP and IgE levels are elevated on day +28 after HSCT in children, with ECP showing a potential relation to acute GvHD.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / blood
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / epidemiology
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / etiology
  • Eosinophil Cationic Protein / blood*
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / blood
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / epidemiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / blood
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / epidemiology
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / blood
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / epidemiology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Lung Diseases / blood
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases / etiology
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / blood
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Eosinophil Cationic Protein