[Eosinophil cationic protein in the asthmatic infant: correlation with the clinic and pulmonary function].
METHODS
Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was measured in 99 chronic asthmatic patients (51 males and 48 females) with a mean age of 10.59 years and correlated with the number of eosinophils, lung function, symptoms in the last 6 months and clinical scoring (that reflecting the clinical situation during the last 15 days).


RESULTS
Serum ECP showed a significant correlation with the total number of eosinophils (p < 0.001, R = 0.44), clinical scoring (p < 0.05, R = 0.26), number of inhaled beta 2-agonist doses needed in the last 15 days (p < 0.05, R = 0.26), forced expiratory volume during 1 second (FEV1; p < 0.01, R = -0.27), forced vital capacity (FVC; p < 0.05, R = -0.23), maximal mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-27; p < 0.001, R = -0.37). However, there was no significant correlation between the total number of eosinophils and the clinical situation of the children or the FEV1, but we found a significant correlation with the FEF25-27. Patients with ECP < 20 had better results on lung function tests than patients with ECP > 20 (FEV1: 108.89 +/- 17.7 vs 100.5 +/- 22 (p < 0.05), FEF25-27: 93.81 +/- 24.4 vs 75.21 +/- 24.5 (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study suggest that the ECP level is a good marker of the situation of asthma in childhood. The levels of ECP will probably be able to help us to evaluate the degree of bronchial inflammation that neither the clinical state nor the lung function define completely.
Villa Asensi
J R
JR
Sección de Neumología y Alergia Infantil, Hospital Doce de Octubre, Madrid.
García Hernández
G
G
Boya Cristiá
M J
MJ
Rueda Esteban
S
S
Marín Ferrer
M
M
Nogales Espert
A
A
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D011506:Proteins