title: Serum ECP and total IgE levels in children with acute laryngotracheobronchitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) are important mediators of allergic inflammation and they are commonly used in the diagnosis and follow-up of allergic diseases. But serum levels of these molecules can also be elevated by some other diseases including viral infections. Acute laryngotracheobronchitis (ALTB) is an important viral infection of upper airway and serum levels of ECP and IgE may increase in patients with ALTB.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study serum ECP and IgE levels were measured before treatment and on the third day and third week after treatment in 27 patients with ALTB aged 10 months to 5 years and were compared with a age matched healthy controls. All patients were treated with nebulized budesonide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that pre-treatment ECP levels were significantly higher than post-treatment third days and third weeks (28.3+/-2.3 ng/ml versus 20.2+/-3.2 ng/ml and 11.4+/-1.1 ng/ml, respectively). Similarly, the mean pre-treatment serum IgE values were significantly higher than post-treatment values (131.6+/-17.5 IU/ml versus 83.6+/-12.4 IU/ml and 68.2+/-6.7 IU/ml). A positive correlation was found between serum ECP and IgE values for pre-treatment and post-treatment third week values (r=062, p=0.01 and r=0.64, p=0.01, respectively). The pre-treatment serum ECP and IgE levels were significantly higher than those of controls (10.8+/-1.5 ng/ml and 43.8+/-6.6 IU/ml, respectively p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study it was shown that, serum ECP and IgE levels increase in the acute phase of infection and return to normal after treatment in patients with ALTB such as in allergic patients. This effect of ALTB on serum ECP and total IgE levels should be kept in mind and these parameters should not be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of allergic diseases in children who had had ALTB in recent weeks.
authors.affiliation: Sisli Etfal Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, 80220 Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey. feyzulkaya@mynet.com
authors.forename: Feyzullah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakir
mesh_terms: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003440:Croup / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D019819:Budesonide; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein