310 SERUM LEVELS OF ECP AND EPX ARE NOT CORRELATED TO BRONCHIAL HYPERREACTIVITY (BHR) AS MEASURED BY METHACHOLINE BRONCHIAL PROVOCATION TEST (MBPT): Report from the Preventive Allergy Treatment study (PAT)

摘要

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) are markers of allergic inflammation. MBPT is a marker for BHR. We investigated the relationship between asthma and mediators in serum of 28 children, 7-13 y with birch and (B; n=12) or grass (n-B; n=16) pollinosis, included in the sc. PAT-study, were followed for one year. MBPT was done and blood was drawn on the day of MBPT during the birch, grass and winter seasons. s-ECP and s-EPX were determined by a sandwich RIA.MBPT and PEF variability did not correlate to s-ECP and s-EPX (any season).In the winter season, most children were sensitive to methacholine but had normal levels of s-ECP and s-EPX. We interpret this finding that inflammation was not present but BHR persisted in the winter season. Thus, elevated s-ECP and s-EPX do not reflect BHR / asthma but can still be used as markers of (bronchial) inflammation, which will have theraputic impact.