Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2007 Jun;17(2):127-136.

Eosinophil-derived Neurotoxin and Eosinophil Cationic Protein Levels Correlate with Bronchial Wall Thickness in Children with Asthma Exacerbation

• Kim HB
• Fletcher R
• Choi J
• Youn UK
• Ma YS
• Shin BM
• Kim JS
• Kim CK

Abstract

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic inflammation plays a critical role in asthma and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scoring systems have been used to evaluate the extent and severity in long standing adult asthma. We investigated if there is a correlation between eosinophil degranulation markers and HRCT scores in childhood asthma.
METHODS
Children with acute asthma exacerbation (n=25) underwent HRCT and were assessed for bronchial wall thickening (BWT), low lung density (LLD), and bronchial dilatation (BD) using semi-quantitative scoring techniques. Serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels indicating eosinophil degranulation were determined. Comparisons were made with normal control subjects (n=14).
RESULTS
BWT (P<0.001) and LLD (P<0.001) scores were higher in the childhood asthma group than in the control group, but BD scores were not. The EDN (r=0.405, P<0.05) and ECP (r=0.565, P<0.01) levels significantly correlated with BWT scores, but not with LLD and BD in the childhood asthma group. The EDN (r=0.710, P<0.0001) and the ECP (r=0.580, P<0.0001) levels were significantly correlated with serum total eosinophil counts.
CONCLUSION
The EDN and ECP levels were correlated with BWT scores on HRCT. These findings suggest that EDN and ECP may be valuable for quantifying airway thickening in children with asthma exacerbation.

Keyword

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin; Eosinophil cationic protein; High-resolution computed tomography; Bronchial wall thickening

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asthma*
Child*
Dilatation
Eosinophil Cationic Protein*
Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin*
Eosinophils*
Humans
Inflammation
Lung
Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin