Objective.<space>- The determination of the serological levels of ECP (biological marker of bronchial eosinophil inflammation) may predict objectively the asthmatic severity and activity in children.Methods.<space>- Comparison of ECP levels in 80 non-atopic asthmatic children to levels in 25 healthy control children. Patients were studied during the attack and 2 weeks later. The asthma attack severity was determined according to a pre-existing score. The measurement of ECP was performed by the immunofluorescence technique (Phamacia CAP-system). This measurement was correlated to the clinical and radiological investigation as well as other variables such as blood oxygen saturation, peak expiratory rate and eosinophil count.Results.<space>- The ECP level of all asthmatics was significantly higher during the attack (12.7<space>+/-<space>8.82<space>μg/L) when compared to the control group (2.9<space>+/-<space>0.72<space>μg/L) (P<space><<space>0.001). Two weeks after resolution of the exacerbation, ECP levels significantly decreased (5.48<space>+/-<space>2.34<space>μg/L) (P<space><<space>0.001). The ECP levels were highest in patients with severe attacks (18.45<space>+/-<space>10.66<space>μg/L) (P<space><<space>0.001). There was no statistical difference between mild (9.75<space>+/-<space>7.25<space>μg/L) and moderate attacks (4.53<space>+/-<space>1.17<space>μg/L). At the 2-week follow-up, the ECP levels in patients who had mild or moderate attacks were comparable to control levels but was persistently elevated in the severe attack subgroup (7.65<space>+/-<space>2.94<space>μg/L) (P<space><<space>0.001). No significant correlation was found between serum ECP levels and blood oxygen saturation, peak expiratory rate or eosinophil count.Conclusion.<space>- A statistically significant correlation was found between serum ECP levels and the severity of the attack in asthmatic children. It could be useful in quantifying bronchial inflammation. This result can further allow us to institute an adequate anti-inflammatory treatment.
Objectifs.<space>- La determination du taux serique de l ECP (marqueur biologique de l'inflammation a eosinophile) peut permettre d apprecier de facon objective la gravite et l'activite de l'asthme bronchique chez l'enfant.Methodes.<space>- Nous avons compare les valeurs de l'ECP chez 80 enfants asthmatiques non atopiques et chez 25 enfants sains. Les patients ont ete suivis durant une crise d asthme et deux semaines plus tard. La gravite de la crise a ete evaluee selon un score preexistant. Le dosage d'ECP a ete realise par la technique d'immunofluorescence (Pharmacia CAP-System). Ce dosage a ete correle a l'examen clinique, radiologique, ainsi qu aux determinations de la saturation d oxygene, a la valeur du debit expiratoire maximal et au compte des eosinophiles sanguins.Resultats.<space>- L'ECP est significativement plus eleve chez les asthmatiques durant l'attaque (12,7<space>+/-<space>8,82<space>μg/L) que chez les temoins (2,9<space>+/-<space>0,72<space>μg/L) (p<space><<space>0,001). Deux semaines apres la resolution de la crise, on constate une diminution significative des taux d ECP (5,48<space>+/-<space>2,34<space>μg/L) (p<space><<space>0,001). On trouve un taux d ECP plus eleve dans les crises graves (18,54<space>+/-<space>10,66<space>μg/L) (p<space><<space>0,01). Il n y a pas de difference significative entre les crises legeres (9,75<space>+/-<space>7,25<space>μg/L) et moderees (4,53<space>+/-<space>1,17<space>μg/L). Apres deux semaines, l'ECP reste eleve de facon significative chez les enfants qui ont presente une crise grave (7,65<space>+/-<space>2,94<space>μg/L) (p<space><<space>0,001) par rapport au groupe temoin, alors que les taux d'ECP de ceux qui ont presente une crise legere et moderee sont comparables a ceux des temoins. Aucune correlation significative n a pu etre etablie entre les valeurs d ECP et les determinations de la saturation en oxygene, du debit expiratoire de pointe et de l eosinophile sanguin.Conclusion.<space>- Il existe une relation nette entre les taux seriques de l'ECP et de la gravite de la crise chez les enfants asthmatiques. Cela peut aider a quantifier l'inflammation bronchique. Ces resultats peuvent permettre d instituer un traitement anti-inflammatoire adequat.