Eosinophil cationic protein and prophylactic treatment in pollinosis in natural allergen provocation

In this study, prophylactic treatment with ketotifen and examination of subjective symptoms, blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) values were carried out from the pre- to postpollinosis season to evaluate the effects of ECP and characterise the effects of prophylactic treatment on the appearance of these mediators in relation to clinical symptoms. We found that: serum ECP values during the season and post-season were significantly higher than those during the pre-season; there was a significant correlation between serum ECP value and blood eosinophil count during the season; and the levels for all three of the above parameters in the prophylactic treatment group were significantly lower than those in the no-treatment group during the season.