Increased eosinophil cationic protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage from wheezy infants

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

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

Journal

Title: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

Vol. 12

Pages: 65-72

ISSN: 0905-6157

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

Scopus - 25 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: 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.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8