Inflammation markers and symptom activity in children with bronchial asthma. Influence of atopy and eczema

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1997 Aug;8(3):112-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1997.tb00163.x.

Abstract

Background: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been reported to reflect the eosinophil inflammatory activity in asthma. However, the relative impact of asthma symptoms and atopic eczema upon serum (s)-ECP in asthmatic children has not been established.

Objectives: To examine s-ECP levels and s-myeloperoxidase (MPO) in relation to asthma symptoms and atopic eczema in asthmatic children.

Methods: S-ECP and s-MPO were assessed in relation to symptom activity, lung function, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and bronchial responsiveness in 101 children; median age 9 years, range 1-16 years; with moderate to severe asthma, admitted to Voksentoppen Center.

Results: S-ECP was significantly higher in children with persistent compared to episodic or no asthma symptoms in the past four weeks. S-ECP was also higher in children with atopic compared to non-atopic asthma, as well as in those with active compared to past history or no history of atopic eczema. S-MPO was higher in children with persistent asthma symptoms, but did not differ in relation to atopy or eczema state. Persistent asthma symptoms had the greatest impact upon s-ECP levels, followed by atopy and active eczema.

Conclusion: S-ECP may be used in assessing symptom activity in asthmatic children, but with the realisation that active eczema and the presence of atopy may also influence levels.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Asthma / blood*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / diagnosis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology
  • Eczema / blood*
  • Eczema / physiopathology
  • Eosinophil Granule Proteins
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Peroxidase / blood*
  • Radioimmunoassay / methods
  • Radioimmunosorbent Test
  • Ribonucleases*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Proteins
  • Eosinophil Granule Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Peroxidase
  • Ribonucleases