Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
08:05
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Eosinophil activation and preschool viral wheeze
1Leicester Children's Asthma Centre, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
Thorax
|September 30, 2003
Summary
Systemic eosinophil activation is linked to preschool viral wheeze (PVW). However, this activation does not correlate with IgE levels, disease severity, or long-term wheezing in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Preschool viral wheeze (PVW) is a common respiratory illness in young children.
- The role of systemic eosinophil activation in PVW is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between systemic eosinophil activation and PVW.
- To explore potential correlations with serum IgE, clinical severity, and wheeze persistence.
Main Methods:
- Measured urinary eosinophil protein X (uEPX) and serum total IgE in children with PVW.
- Collected samples during acute illness and 6 weeks post-discharge.
- Assessed wheeze persistence at age 5+ years via questionnaire.
- Included healthy and atopic children as controls.
Main Results:
- Elevated uEPX levels were observed in children with acute PVW compared to controls (p<0.001).
- uEPX levels decreased significantly during convalescence (p<0.05).
- No association was found between uEPX and serum IgE, clinical severity, or wheeze persistence at age 5+.
Conclusions:
- Systemic eosinophil activation is significantly associated with preschool viral wheeze.
- Eosinophil activation in PVW is independent of serum IgE levels.
- Eosinophil activation does not predict wheeze persistence into early school age.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:06Allergic Reactions
Overview
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...