Falls in peripheral eosinophil counts parallel the late asthmatic response.
Peripheral eosinophil counts were measured at intervals before and after control and allergen inhalation in 14 asthmatic subjects. A relative fall in eosinophil counts was noted 9 h after allergen challenge, in contrast to the diurnal increase seen on the control day (p = 0.005). This fall in eosinophil count correlated strongly with the magnitude of the late asthmatic response (r = -0.72, p = 0.003) and with the changes in bronchial responsiveness to histamine at 3 and 24 h after allergen was given (r = 0.54, p = 0.044 and r = 0.82, p less than 0.001, respectively). The findings demonstrate eosinophil kinetics are related to the occurrence of late-phase reactions and to the associated worsening of bronchial hyperreactivity.
Cookson
W O
WO
Osler Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Craddock
C F
CF
Benson
M K
MK
Durham
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens; D006632:Histamine