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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
05:31
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Inflammatory markers in childhood asthma.
Slavica Dodig1, Darko Richter, Renata Zrinski-Topić
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Srebrnjak Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia. slavica.dodig@zg.t-com.hr
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|February 10, 2011
Summary
Asthma involves persistent airway inflammation. Researchers identified biomarkers like fractional nitric oxide and C-reactive protein to monitor inflammation in children, aiding diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Clinical immunology
Background:
- Asthma is characterized by persistent airway inflammation due to dysregulated immune responses.
- Accurate monitoring of airway inflammation in children is crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current methods for detecting and quantifying airway inflammation in children with asthma.
- To assess the utility of various biomarkers in monitoring asthma-related inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of non-invasive biologic samples (exhaled breath, breath condensate, blood/serum).
- Evaluation of biomarkers including fractional nitric oxide, pH, eosinophil granulocytes, eosinophil cationic protein, and C-reactive protein.
- Assessment of correlations between biomarkers, clinical parameters, and diagnostic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Standardized methods allow for the measurement of direct local inflammation markers (fractional nitric oxide, breath condensate pH) and indirect systemic markers (eosinophils, C-reactive protein).
- Current biomarkers are not specific for asthma, highlighting the need for further research.
- Biomarkers can help monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Existing biomarkers provide insights into airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation in pediatric asthma.
- Further standardization and discovery of novel biomarkers are essential for precise longitudinal monitoring and improved asthma management in children.
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