311 SERUM LEVELS ECP AND EPX INCREASE DURING THE SEASON AND ARE ASSOCIATED TO BRONCHIAL HYPERREACTIVITY (BHR): Report from the Preventive Allergy Treatment study (PAT)

Abstract

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) are markers of allergic inflammation. PEF-variability is a diagnostic criterion for asthma. We investigated the relationship between asthma and mediators in serum of 28 children with birch (B; n=12) and/or grass (n-B; n=16) pollinosis followed for one year. Asthma was graded using a visual analogue scale, methacholine bronchial provocation tests (MBPT) were done and PEF variability was recorded, during the birch grass and winter seasons. Serum was drawn before the birch season and during the seasons. s-ECP and s-EPX were determined by a sandwich RIA. In B, ECP and EPX, levels were higher during than before and after the seasons B and n-B (p< 0.02). PEF variability vas higher in B (p < 0.01) but not n-B during season. MBPT conc. were lower for B AND N-B during than after the season (p <0.01). ECP was higher in children with than without increased MBPT sensitivity (<1500 μg)(p <0.05) during the grass season, whereas EPX was higher in the same children (p <0.05) during the birch season. No correlation was found between other parameters, probably due to non-awareness of asthma among children and parents. Thus, in groups of patients with lowered threshold in MBPT, ECP and EPX increased during the season, but was not associated to the degree of asthma or BHR.