Fecal eosinophil cationic protein as a marker of active disease and treatment outcome in collagenous colitis: a pilot study.

Background And Aims: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is used as a marker for intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but there is no reliable marker for collagenous colitis (CC). We have previously demonstrated that the mucosal inflammation in CC is characterized by eosinophil activation, which is restored during budesonide treatment, but there is no enhanced neutrophil activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of fecal eosinophil cationic protein (F-ECP) and eosinophil protein X (F-EPX) compared with the neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase (F-MPO) and FC in patients treated for active CC.

PI3-kinase regulates eosinophil and neutrophil degranulation in patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma irrespective of allergen challenge model.

The PI3K pathway plays a major role in many vital cell processes. Our primary aim was to investigate signalling through PI3K for in vitro degranulation from allergen-primed eosinophils and neutrophils in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma after seasonal and experimental allergen challenge. Nine patients with allergic rhinitis, eight with allergic asthma and four controls were studied during birch pollen season and after nasal and bronchial allergen challenge.

Patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma share the same pattern of eosinophil and neutrophil degranulation after allergen challenge.

Background: Patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma demonstrate comparable local and systemic eosinophil inflammation, and yet they present with different clinical pictures. Less is even known about the contribution of neutrophil inflammation in allergic diseases. The aim of the study was to examine the propensity and selectivity of granule release from primed systemic eosinophils and neutrophils in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma after seasonal and experimental allergen exposure.

Experimental and seasonal exposure to birch pollen in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma with regard to the inflammatory response.

Background And Aims: Seasonal allergy is an interesting model to study the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in allergic inflammation. However, experimental allergen exposure is easier to perform and standardise. The primary aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory responses to high-dose bronchial challenge and natural exposure during birch pollen season.

Systemic and local eosinophil inflammation during the birch pollen season in allergic patients with predominant rhinitis or asthma.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate inflammation during the birch pollen season in patients with rhinitis or asthma.

Methods: Subjects with birch pollen asthma (n = 7) or rhinitis (n = 9) and controls (n = 5) were studied before and during pollen seasons. Eosinophils (Eos), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and human neutrophil lipocalin were analysed.