title: Eosinophilic cationic protein: is it useful in assessing control of childhood asthma?
abstract: This study evaluated peripheral eosinophil and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (s-ECP) levels as markers of asthma control. A total of 38 children with asthma (16 controlled and 22 partially controlled) were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Total asthma cases had higher eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels than healthy children and partially controlled asthmatics had significantly higher levels of both markers than controlled asthmatics. Controlled asthma cases showed non-significant changes in both parameters versus healthy children. A negative correlation was noted between degree of asthma control and both eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels (r = -0.60 and -0.75 respectively). s-ECP as well as peripheral eosinophil count may be helpful in the assessment of asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Allergy, Respiratory and Clinical Immunology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt. magdyzedan@mans.edu.eg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zedan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Settin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El-Chennawi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: El-Desouky
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasef
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fouda
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004534:Egypt; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D015415:Biomarkers; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; D000420:Albuterol