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Urinary eosinophil protein X in children with atopic dermatitis: relation to atopy and disease activity
1Department of Pediatrics, Rogaland County Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Insights
Urinary eosinophil protein X (U-EPX) is elevated in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), correlating with disease severity and allergic sensitization. This finding suggests U-EPX may serve as a valuable biomarker for AD activity in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Eosinophil inflammation markers are explored for atopic dermatitis (AD) activity.
- The role of urinary eosinophil protein X (U-EPX) in pediatric AD and allergic sensitization is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate U-EPX levels in children with AD.
- To assess the correlation between U-EPX and AD severity.
- To determine the influence of allergic sensitization on U-EPX levels.
Main Methods:
- U-EPX was measured in children with varying AD severity (mild, moderate, severe) and controls.
- Skin prick tests were used to assess allergic sensitization.
- U-EPX levels were compared across groups and correlated with disease parameters.
Main Results:
- U-EPX levels were significantly higher in children with AD compared to controls.
- U-EPX levels increased with AD severity, being highest in severe cases.
- Children with AD and positive skin prick tests showed higher U-EPX levels than those without sensitization.
Conclusions:
- U-EPX is significantly elevated in pediatric AD and may indicate disease activity.
- U-EPX levels may reflect eosinophil activation differences related to allergic sensitization in AD.
Background:
Parameters of eosinophil inflammation have been suggested as markers of disease activity in atopic dermatitis (AD), but the value of urinary eosinophil protein X (U-EPX) in children with AD, as well as the influence of allergic sensitization, is not known.
Methods:
We measured U-EPX in 59 atopic and 29 nonatopic children with mild (n = 32), moderate (n = 34), and severe (n = 22) AD, as well as in 64 controls.
Results:
U-EPX was increased in children with AD (110; 67-164 microg/mmol creatinine, median; quartiles) compared to controls (62; 41-95, P<0.001). Children with mild (97; 63-164, P < 0.01), moderate (108; 67-157, P < 0.01), and severe disease (152; 99-202, P < 0.001) had levels of U-EPX higher than controls. U-EPX was significantly higher in children with severe AD than in mild and moderate disease (P < 0.05 for both). Children with AD and a positive skin prick test (120; 81-176) had higher levels of U-EPX than children with a negative skin prick test (87; 56-155, P<0.05).
Conclusions:
U-EPX is significantly increased in children with AD and may reflect disease activity. U-EPX may also reflect differences in eosinophil activation between those sensitized and those not sensitized to common allergens.