Effects of rhinovirus-induced common colds on granulocyte activity in allergic rhinitis.

Objective: To explore the activities of mast cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils in patients with allergic rhinitis developing common colds and increased responsiveness to allergen following nasal rhinovirus inoculation.

Methods: We have revisited a nasal lavage material obtained from 17 patients who were successfully inoculated with rhinovirus outside the pollen season and received nasal allergen challenges before and after inoculation. We have examined indices of mast cell activity (tryptase), eosinophil degranulation (eosinophil peroxidase; EPO), and neutrophil activation (myeloperoxidase; MPO).

Human neutrophil lipocalin, a highly specific marker for acute exacerbation in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by the production of abnormally thick secretions in the airways, chronic bacterial endobronchial infections and a chronic, predominantly neutrophilic inflammatory response. Therefore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin are frequently used as inflammatory markers. Recently, a new protein in the neutrophil granules, human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) has been discovered.

Intracellular expression and serum levels of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and eosinophil cationic protein in asthmatic children.

Background: Eosinophils are involved in the chronic inflammatory response in asthma and their basic proteins are thought to play a major pathophysiological role in this process. While serum levels of basic proteins have been used to monitor the ongoing allergic disease, little is known about the intracellular expression of these proteins in clinical situations.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the intracellular expression of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in asthmatic children and control subjects and relate it to serum levels of both proteins, lung function tests and immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels.

Markers of inflammation and bronchial reactivity in children with asthma, exposed to animal dander in school dust.

Several studies have confirmed the presence of animal dander allergens in school dust but the effect of this indirect animal exposure on health has not been evaluated. In this study we investigated bronchial reactivity and markers of eosinophil activity and inflammation during two separate weeks of school in 10 children with mild asthma and a positive skin prick test to cat and dog. At the beginning and the end of the first week the children underwent bronchial challenges with methacholine, and at the beginning and the end of the second week they underwent nasal lavages (NAL) and induced sputum samplings.

Serum eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X and eosinophil peroxidase in relation to pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Recently, increased serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in cystic fibrosis (CF) have been reported which were closely related to the levels in sputum. In the present study we investigated other eosinophil proteins such as eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) in sera of patients with CF and their relation to pulmonary function.

Methods: Serum samples from 42 patients with CF and from 25 healthy control subjects were measured for ECP, EPO and EPX.