Manifold significance of serum eosinophil cationic protein in asthmatic children.

Asthma is the result of complex interaction between different cells, mediators and nervous system that leads to an inflammatory response accompanied by increased bronchial hyperactivity. Its clinical manifestations include recurrent cough, wheezing and difficult breathing. The purpose of this study was to establish the possibility of diagnosing inflammation in asthmatic patients based on the assessment of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and of following the efficacy of asthmatic treatment by the levels of inflammation mediators. In a prospective study, 134 children aged 1 to 18 (mean 8) years underwent serum ECP assessment. Experimental group included 87 patients with asthma, 56 boys and 31 girls, mean age 9.1 (range 2-17) years. Control group included patients with recurrent non-allergic disorders, 27 boys and 20 girls aged 1-16 (mean 6.1) years. Serum ECP was assessed using the Pharmacia CAP system ECP-FEIA method, i.e. fluoroimmunoassay test for quantitative assessment of serum ECP levels. Serum values of ECP were significantly higher in asthmatics than in controls (p = 0.001). Our results showed that increased levels of serum ECP to significantly correlate with increased eosinophil (p = 0.018) and immunoglobulin E (p = 0.003) levels. Increased ECP levels reflect the degree of inflammation and correlate with the clinical picture severity in asthmatic patients. Assessment of serum ECP levels can reveal eosinophilic activity, and indirectly detect immunologic inflammation in asthmatics. It is possible to follow the dynamics of immunologic inflammation during the course of treatment as well as treatment efficacy.