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  • Title: Serum eosinophil cationic protein as a predictor of disease activity in acute and chronic asthma.
    Author: Onadeko BO, Khadadah ME, Mustafa HT, Ezeamuzie CI, Marouf R, Khamis A, Sugathan TN.
    Journal: East Afr Med J; 1999 Sep; 76(9):524-9. PubMed ID: 10685325.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Eosinophils may contribute to airway hyper responsiveness in asthma through the effects of eosinophil derived granular proteins in the bronchial epithelium. Increased concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been reported in patients with acute and chronic asthma. OBJECTIVE: To examine if ECP can serve as a marker of disease activity in acute and chronic asthma patients. DESIGN: Prospective case control study. PATIENTS: Sixteen non smoking asthmatics in exacerbation (group 1); twenty two in relatively stable state (group 2); and sixteen normal control subjects (group 3) were recruited into the study. SETTING: Casuality and outpatients departments, Mubarak hospital, Kuwait between August 1997 and July 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean serum ECP, blood eosinophil count and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in blood eosinophil count (p < 0.01) and in PEFR (p < 0.0001). At week four, the mean ECP and blood eosinophil count fell as a result of therapy in group 1. The difference in PEFR values between week 0 and 4 in group 1 reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). In group 2 patients, the mean serum ECP, blood eosinophil count and PFER values between week 0 and 4 did not show any significant difference. A correlation was observed between ECP and PEFR in group 1 (p < 0.05) and between ECP and eosinophil count in group 2 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum ECP has the potential to serve as a marker for predicting and monitoring the clinical course of asthma. Further studies are required to verify these baseline findings in our environment.
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