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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

[Analysis of tryptase levels in infants and children with wheezy bronchitis]

Joanna Gasiorowska1, Mieczysława Czerwionka-Szaflarska, Grazyna Swincow

  • 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of Bydgoszcz, Poland. klped@cm.umk.pl

Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
|April 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Tryptase levels showed no significant difference in infants with wheezy bronchitis compared to controls. However, higher tryptase concentrations were found in children experiencing their first wheezing episode, suggesting a potential role in early-stage disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Biomarker Research

Context:

  • Wheezy bronchitis is a common cause of hospitalization in young children and can be an early indicator of bronchial asthma.
  • Recurrent wheezing presents a significant clinical challenge in pediatric respiratory health.
  • Identifying novel biomarkers for early detection and prevention of recurrent wheezy bronchitis is crucial.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the role of serum tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) concentrations as potential markers in infants and young children diagnosed with wheezy bronchitis.
  • To compare tryptase and ECP levels between children with their first episode of wheezy bronchitis and those with recurrent episodes.
  • To assess the correlation between tryptase concentrations and family history or symptoms of allergy.

Summary:

  • This study evaluated tryptase and ECP levels in 94 infants and young children with wheezy bronchitis and 43 controls.
  • No significant difference in tryptase levels was observed between the wheezy bronchitis group and the control group.
  • Patients with the first episode of wheezing exhibited higher tryptase concentrations compared to those with recurrent wheezing, though this difference was not statistically significant in all analyses. Family history and allergy symptoms did not significantly influence tryptase levels.

Impact:

  • The findings suggest that tryptase may have limited significance as a general biomarker for wheezy bronchitis in infants and young children.
  • Elevated tryptase in first-time wheezing episodes warrants further investigation into its specific role in the early pathogenesis of reactive airway disease.
  • This research contributes to understanding the complex mechanisms underlying pediatric wheezing disorders and the potential utility of inflammatory markers.
Abstract

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