Abstract
A cohort of 12 asthmatic children was followed over several months, during which they moved back and forth from an allergen-free to an allergen-rich environment at high and low altitude, respectively. The children were treated with non-steroidal anti-asthmatic drugs as clinically needed. Histamine PC20-FEV1 was unaltered during the study period, whereas serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) showed significant changes when the children were exposed to the offending allergens. The total IgE significantly increased during exposure. The serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) as well as of chemotactic factors for both neutrophils and eosinophils were unaltered during allergen exposure. We conclude that the serum markers of eosinophil activity ECP and EPX are sensitive indices of allergen exposure in asthmatic atopic children.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Allergens / adverse effects*
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Altitude*
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Animals
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
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Asthma / blood
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Asthma / drug therapy
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Asthma / immunology
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Asthma / therapy*
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Biomarkers
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Blood Proteins / analysis*
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Child
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Dust / adverse effects
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Environmental Exposure*
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Eosinophil Granule Proteins
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Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin
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Eosinophils / physiology*
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Female
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Forced Expiratory Volume
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Humans
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / blood
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / drug therapy
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / immunology
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / therapy*
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Immunoglobulin E / blood
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Italy
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Male
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Mites / immunology
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Neutrophils / physiology
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Peroxidase / blood
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Pollen / adverse effects
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Ribonucleases / analysis*
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Seasons
Substances
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Allergens
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents
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Biomarkers
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Blood Proteins
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Dust
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Eosinophil Granule Proteins
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Immunoglobulin E
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Peroxidase
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Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin
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Ribonucleases