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Faecal and serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein in a healthy paediatric population
A C Silva1, L Levy, J C Trindade
1Paediatric Department, University Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. anacristinacardososilva@gmail.com
Insights
This study establishes reference values for faecal and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in healthy children. These findings provide crucial background data for utilizing ECP as a marker of intestinal inflammation in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a key indicator of eosinophil activation and inflammation.
- ECP is increasingly recognized as a potential faecal marker for intestinal inflammation.
- Limited data exists on ECP reference values in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine faecal and serum ECP levels in healthy children.
- To investigate associations between ECP levels and other biological parameters in children.
- To provide validation data for ECP as a pediatric biomarker.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of healthy Caucasian children from outpatient clinics.
- Exclusion of participants with chronic illnesses, acute illness, bleeding, or recent medication.
- Quantification of faecal and serum ECP, faecal alpha-1-antitrypsin (a1AT), and serum IgE using radioimmunoassay and fluoroenzyme immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Established mean faecal ECP of 1.93 microg/g and serum ECP of 13.50 microg/L.
- Determined cut-off values for faecal ECP (2.80 microg/g) and serum ECP (16.89 microg/L).
- Observed a significant increase in serum ECP with high peripheral eosinophil counts, but no change in faecal ECP; neither was influenced by IgE.
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential reference ranges for faecal and serum ECP in children.
- These data support further research into ECP's role in pediatric inflammatory conditions.
- ECP measurements can contribute valuable background information for clinical studies in pediatric settings.
Background:
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been regarded as an excellent marker of eosinophil activation in various diseases where eosinophil-mediated inflammation plays a role. Recently, it has been suggested as a faecal marker of intestinal inflammation in several immune-mediated diseases with gastrointestinal expression. Owing to the scarcity of information at paediatric age, the establishment of reference values is necessary before further clinical studies.
Objective:
To determine faecal and serum ECP levels in healthy children and their association with other biological parameters, thereby providing background additional validation data for this age group.
Methods:
Faecal and serum ECP levels were available from healthy Caucasian children recruited at a regular outpatient clinic. Exclusion criteria were: chronic illnesses, acute illness, mucosal bleeding and recent pharmacological medication. Faecal and serum ECP levels and faecal a1AT were determined by commercial radioimmunoassay and serum IgE by fluoroenzyme immunoassay Uni-CAP.
Results:
Mean and median faecal ECP levels were 1.93 microg/g and 1.20 microg/g, respectively (range 0.41-22.20),while the corresponding serum ECP levels were 13.50 microg/L and 9.54 microg/L, respectively (range 0.20-74.8). The cut-offs found were 2.80 microg/g and 16.89 microg/L for faecal and serum ECP, respectively. A significant (p=0.001) increase in serum, but not in faecal, ECP levels was found among patients with high peripheral eosinophil blood count. Neither faecal nor serum ECP levels were influenced by serum IgE levels.
Conclusions:
Faecal and serum ECP levels, as determined in the present study, add background information concerning reference levels at paediatric age for further studies indifferent clinical settings.
