Serum Level of Naphthalene and 1,2 Benz-anthracene and Their Effect on the Immunologic Markers of Asthma and Asthma Severity in Children-Egypt

摘要

Background:The rate of asthma increases as communities adopt western lifestyles and become urbanized. Objective: Was to assess the serum level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) naphthalene, 1,2 benz-anthracene and detect their effects on some of asthma immunologic markers in children with bronchial asthma and their relation to asthma severity. Methods:The study was carried out on 60 children with bronchial asthma. They were selected from the inpatient and outpatient clinic of Al–Zahraa hospital, Al-Azhar University. Also the study included 60 children age and sex matched served as a control group. Serum levels of naphthalene and 1,2 benz-anthracene as well as (IgE, IL13 and IL5,) were assessed in the studied groups. Results: Serum levels of naphthalene and 1,2 benz-anthracene were significantly increased in children with bronchial asthma than in controls, as their levels were (24.04±13.03ng/ml; 16.07 ±8.96 ng/ml) and (5.23 ± 3.21 ng/ml; 6.99 ± 3.90 ng/ml), respectively with (p=0.000 and 0.006 respectively)with significant positive correlation to bronchial asthma severity and significant relation to urban residence and second hand smoking . There was a significant decrease in IL5 and IL13 serum levels while there was a significant increase in eosinophils counts and serum IgE levels in children with asthma than the controls, with significant positive correlation to bronchial asthma severity. Conclusions: Exposure to PAHs (naphthalene, 1,2 benz-anthracene) appears to be associated with asthma in children with significant relation to bronchial asthma severity and significant interaction with asthma markers.