Serum eosinophilic cationic protein: is there a role in respiratory disorders?
BACKGROUND
Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) has been widely investigated in the clinical practice as a potential biomarker for asthma. However, there are conflicting data concerning its validity in other respiratory disorders.


METHODS
Serum ECP levels were retrospectively analyzed in 441 patients (227 males and 214 females) suffering from respiratory disease and visited for the first time, and in 33 healthy subjects (17 males and 16 females).


RESULTS
The mean of ECP was significantly higher (p = .0001) in patients compared with healthy volunteers. No correlation was found between serum ECP value and peripheral eosinophil absolute number (p = .881; r = .007). The predictive model was significant only for asthma, with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 74% (efficiency 73%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that serum ECP may be considered a marker for identifying only asthmatic patients with an efficiency of 73% and is not useful for the differentiation of other respiratory disorders.
Peona
Vittoria
V
Department of Respiratory Diseases and Pavia University, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
De Amici
Mara
M
Quaglini
Silvana
S
Bellaviti
Gianluca
G
Castellazzi
Anna Maria
AM
Marseglia
Gianluigi
G
Ciprandi
Giorgio
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016015:Logistic Models; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein