Increased eosinophil cationic protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage from wheezy infants

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2001

Autores

Inês Azevedo (Autor) FMUP; de Blic, J (Autor) Outra; Vargaftig, BB (Autor) Outra; Bachelet, M (Autor) Outra; Scheinmann, P (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

Vol. 12

Páginas: 65-72

ISSN: 0905-6157

Editora: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citações

Scopus - 25 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-008-Q6K

DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3038.2001.012002065.x

Abstract (EN): Although studies examining the serum suggest a role for eosinophils in wheezing episodes in infants and toddlers, the presence of a chronic eosinophilic inflammation within their airways remains to be demonstrated. In this study we investigated whether eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels are increased in BAL fluid (BALF) from infants and toddlers with recurrent wheezing episodes, during an asymptomatic period. The levels of ECP in BALF were quantitated by radioimmunoassay in 61 children (36 with severe recurrent episodes of wheezing and 25 who were non-wheezy), aged 6-36 months, in whom flexible bronchoscopy was clinically indicated. BALF eosinophil counts were less than or equal to 1% in all patients and did not differ in wheezers, compared to non-wheezers. In contrast, ECP levels in BALF were greater than or equal to 2.2 mug/l in 18 of 36 (50%) wheezy infants but in only three of 25 (12%) control infants (p <0.01). Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the wheezer group than in the non-wheezer group (8.1x10(3) cells/ml vs. 3.0x10(3) cells/ml). ECP levels in the BALF were not correlated with the absolute number of eosinophils (r=0.03; p = 0.8) but were correlated with the absolute number of neutrophils (r=0.54; p = 0.001). There was no association between high ECP levels in BALF and the atopic status of the wheezers. In conclusion, ECP levels are increased in BALF from young children with recurrent wheezing episodes, even during relatively quiescent periods, suggesting a chronic increased cell activation in the lower airways.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 8