Eosinophil peroxidase: a new serum marker of atopy and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
Do markers of eosinophil activation differ in their ability to detect subjects with atopy or bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR)? Comparisons of serum levels of eosinophil peroxidase (S-EPO), of eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP) and the blood eosinophil count (B-Eos) have been made between 154 subjects aged 20-44 years, participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Uppsala, Sweden. Subjects with atopy had significantly higher levels of S-EPO and S-ECP than those without atopy (P <0 center dot 001). Subjects with BHR had significantly higher levels of S-EPO (P <0 center dot 001) and B-Eos (P <0 center dot 01) than subjects without BHR. Persons reporting asthma-related symptoms had significantly higher levels of S-EPO and B-Eos than subjects without such symptoms (P <0 center dot 001 and P <0 center dot 01, respectively). Asthma symptom score correlated significantly to S-EPO (r = 0 center dot 26, P <0 center dot 01), S-ECP (r = 0 center dot 20, P <0 center dot 05) and B-Eos (r = 0 center dot 18, P <0 center dot 05). Finally, S-EPO was significantly more sensitive than S-ECP for detecting subjects with BHR (P <0 center dot 05) and significantly more sensitive than B-Eos for detecting both subjects with BHR and subjects with a combination of atopy and BHR (P <0 center dot 05). It is concluded that S-EPO is a promising marker with a higher sensitivity for BHR than S-ECP or B-Eos. Further studies are needed to define the value of S-EPO when following disease activity.
Bjornsson
E
E
Departments of Lung Medicine, Asthma Research Centre, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Janson
C
C
Hakansson
L
L
Enander
I
I
Venge
P
P
Boman
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000201:enzymology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000201:enzymology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests
D015415:Biomarkers; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase; D010544:Peroxidases