[Diagnostic value of selected eosinophil activity parameters in children with hay fever]

Seventy three children aged 5-15 years were involved in the survey. Thirteen children suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), fourty four children suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma (SAR-A), sixteen patients with no allergic symptoms were treated as a control group (CG). All the patients were examined twice: in July--during the highest pollen season and in December--period free of pollen. During each examination samples were collected to measure the following parameters: blood eosinophilia, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil percentage in the nasal mucosal smears (nasal eosinophilia). In statistical analysis values of all parameters in pollen and free of pollen seasons were compared the groups of patients as well as within the groups. In winter values of: blood eosinophilia, ECP and nasal eosinophilia were statistically higher in SAR-A group in comparison to SAR group and CG, simultaneously there was no statistical difference in blood eosinophilia and ECP between SAR group and CG. In the pollen season the highest values of all parameters were observed in SAR-A group. SAR group values were higher in comparison to control group. The difference between groups was significant. Both groups of allergic patients (SAR, SAR-A) revealed statistically higher values of all measured parameters in pollen season in comparison to winter. In CG only level of ECP was significantly higher in July than in December.