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Eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein in children with and without sensitization to inhalant allergens
1University Children's Hospital, Freiburg, Germany.
Insights
Eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein are elevated in children sensitized to allergens, particularly mite allergens. These markers indicate allergic sensitization, even without current asthma or hay fever symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Eosinophil inflammation is a hallmark of allergic diseases, with allergic asthma being a key focus.
- Biomarkers such as eosinophil count (EC) and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are of significant interest in understanding allergic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between eosinophil count (EC) and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) with allergic sensitization.
- To correlate these markers with clinical history (asthma, hay fever) and exposure to mite allergens in 10-year-old children.
Main Methods:
- A community-based survey of 10-year-old children was conducted.
- Children were categorized based on skin prick test results: non-sensitized, sensitized to non-mite allergens, and sensitized to mite allergens.
- EC, serum ECP, and mite allergen exposure (via dust samples) were measured.
Main Results:
- Children sensitized to allergens, especially mite allergens, exhibited significantly higher EC compared to non-sensitized children.
- Elevated serum ECP levels were observed in children sensitized to non-mite and mite allergens versus the non-sensitized group.
- Sensitized children without asthma or hay fever symptoms showed comparable EC and serum ECP levels to those with symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Elevated eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein are indicative of allergic sensitization in children.
- These eosinophil-related markers may reflect underlying allergic inflammation even in the absence of overt clinical symptoms like asthma or hay fever.
- Mite allergen exposure is associated with increased eosinophil markers in sensitized children.
Abstract:
Eosinophil inflammation is a common feature of allergic disorders and particularly in allergic asthma interest has been paid to related markers. In a community-based survey of 10-year-old children, the association of eosinophil count (EC) and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) with allergic sensitization, clinical history and exposure to mite allergen was studied. Relying on the results of skin prick tests, the children were divided to three groups: (1) children showing no sensitization to one of the seven inhalant allergens (n = 16); (2) children with sensitization to at least one of five non-mite allergens (n = 16); and (3) children with sensitization to mite allergens (n = 75). Clinical history of asthma and hay fever was ascertained using standardized questionnaires. EC in peripheral blood and serum ECP were measured on one single occasion. Prior to blood sampling, mite allergen exposure at home had been assessed by taking dust samples and measuring the mite antigen concentration by means of an enzyme immunoassay. Compared to group 1, higher ECs were obvious in group 2 (P = 0.037) and in group 3 (P = 0.0013). Regarding serum ECP, higher levels occurred in group 2 (P = 0.0033) as well as in group 3 (P = 0.0001) when comparing them to the reference group. Sensitized children with neither asthma, nor asthma-like symptoms, nor hay fever (n = 28) did not have significantly lower ECs and serum ECP levels than those with hay fever (n = 15; P = 0.09, P = 0.17) and those with asthma (n = 22; P = 0.69, P = 0.64).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)