Serum eosinophil cationic protein measurements in the management of perennial and periodic asthma: a prospective study.
We performed a prospective study in order: 1) to determine whether a correlation could be found between serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and clinical and functional status in perennial asthmatics during a 5 month prospective study; and 2) to evaluate the relationship between allergic exposure and ECP levels in periodic asthmatics. Two groups of asthmatic patients were selected: a group of acutely ill perennial asthmatics and a group of periodic asthmatics. The acutely ill perennial asthmatics (n=22, mean age=39.4 yrs) were included on the basis of hospitalization for acute asthma. At the end of the hospitalization, there was a 5 month follow-up of clinical, functional and medication scores, as well as eosinophil counts and ECP levels. The periodic asthmatic group was composed of asthmatics sensitized to birch and tree pollens (n=10, mean age=33.8 yrs). The same measurement were performed on this group, before, during and after the pollen season. Under corticosteroid treatment in the acutely ill patients, there was a significant decrease in serum ECP levels between the first day of hospitalization and the day of discharge (mean: 23.2 microg x L(-1) and 9.5 microg x L(-1), respectively; p=0.006). No correlation was found between the clinical status, functional status and serum ECP levels during the 5 month follow-up. A significant increase in ECP levels was found in periodic asthmatics during the pollen season. Our results suggest that serum eosinophil cationic protein is a useful marker of allergen exposure and of acute asthma treatment. This could be of importance in the prevention and follow-up of allergic asthma; the value of serum eosinophil cationic protein measurements in the day-to-day management of adult asthmatics needs to be further clarified.
de Blay
F
F
Unité INSERM U425, Pavillon Laennec, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France.
Purohit
A
A
Stenger
R
R
Gries
P
P
Hamberger
C
C
David
B
B
Frossard
N
N
Pauli
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012260:Ribonucleases; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens; D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012260:Ribonucleases