Major basic protein, but not eosinophil cationic protein or eosinophil protein X, is related to atopy in cystic fibrosis.

Increased eosinophil granule proteins have been described in serum and sputum samples of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It has been assumed that eosinophil degranulation is enhanced in atopic subjects - as in asthmatics. Since in CF no differences in eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil protein X (EPX), and eosinophil peroxidase between atopic and nonatopic subjects have been detected, we investigated whether major basic protein (MBP) is increased in serum and sputum samples derived from atopic (n = 14) compared with nonatopic CF subjects (n = 26). In CF patients, high mean serum (sputum) levels of ECP 29.7 microg/l (2.7 mg/l), EPX 53.7 microg/l (7.9 mg/l), and MBP 984.6 microg/l but low sputum MBP levels (57.4 microg/l) were measured. In addition, in serum and in sputum samples, a significant correlation between MBP and ECP (P<0.03 and P<0.0001, respectively) or EPX (P<0.05 and P<0.0004, respectively) was detected. By subdivision of the patients into allergic and nonallergic subjects, significant differences were found for serum MBP values only(mean 1382.2 microg/l vs. 770.5 microg/l; P<0.0001), but not for ECP or EPX serum levels or for eosinophil proteins in sputum. Although no differences between atopic and nonatopic CF patients in ECP and EPX were found, serum MBP levels were higher in patients sensitized to inhalant allergens than in nonsensitized subjects. These results indicate differential release of eosinophil granule proteins in peripheral blood from eosinophils, and they also indicate that MBP in serum likely is to be a better discriminator of atopy in CF

Serum eosinophil cationic protein in children with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a cytotoxic agent secreted by activated eosinophils during allergic and inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to determine the ECP level, absolute and relative eosinophil count and IgE antibodies in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with those of nonatopic children, and to assess the correlation of these laboratory parameters with the clinical severity of AD. ----- METHODS: This prospective study comprised 70 children. There were 49 children with AD aged 3-36 months, and the control group comprised 21 children with a negative personal and family history for atopic diseases. Detailed history, serum ECP levels (UniCAP FEIA), relative and absolute eosinophil counts and total serum IgE antibodies were determined in both groups. In the children with AD, skin involvement was measured by the SCORAD index. ----- RESULTS: The calculated SCORAD index was between 16 and 83. IgE antibodies, relative and absolute eosinophil counts showed a significantly wider range of values and a statistically higher median (P 0.05). The same was found for the correlation of serum ECP and intensity of skin changes (r = -0.095) and serum ECP and subjective symptoms (r = -0.045). The correlation was positive, but weak and statistically not significant for the serum ECP and extent of the skin lesions (r = 0.079, P > 0.05). ----- CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of ECP, relative and absolute eosinophil counts, as well as IgE antibodies were determined in the patients with AD. As these laboratory findings did not correlate with the severity of AD, they can be considered only as additional methods in the evaluation of patients with AD

Study on the Prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE): allergic sensitization at 1 year of age in a controlled trial of allergen avoidance from birth

Several studies have demonstrated that early intervention may modulate the natural course of atopic disease. The objective of this study was to prevent sensitization to house dust mite and food allergens, as well as development of atopic symptoms, during infancy. To achieve this we employed the combination of an educational package with the use of mite allergen-impermeable mattress encasings. A multi-center European, population-based, randomized controlled study of children at increased atopic risk [study on the prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE)] was performed in five countries (Austria, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Lithuania) and included three cohorts of schoolchildren, toddlers and newborns. We report on the newborn cohort. A total of 696 newborns were included in Austria, Great Britain and Germany. Inclusion criteria were a positive history of parental allergy and a positive skin-prick test or specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) of ≥ 1.43 kU/l against at least one out of a panel of common aeroallergens in one or both parents. At 1 year of age the overall sensitization rate against the tested allergens [dust mite allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae (Der p and Der f, respectively)] and food allergens (egg, milk) in the prophylactic group was 6.21% vs. 10.67% in the control group. The prevalence of sensitization against Der p was 1.86% in the prophylactic group vs. 5% in the control group. In conclusion, we demonstrated, in a group of newborns at risk for atopic diseases, that the sensitization rate to a panel of aero- and food allergens could be effectively decreased through the use of impermeable mattress encasings and the implementation of preventive measures that were easy to perform

Study on the Prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE): allergic sensitization in children at 1 year of age in a controlled trial of allergen avoidance from birth

Several studies have demonstrated that early intervention may modulate the natural course of atopic disease. The objective of this study was to prevent sensitization to house dust mite and food allergens, as well as development of atopic symptoms, during infancy. To achieve this we employed the combination of an educational package with the use of mite allergen-impermeable mattress encasings. A multi-center European, population-based, randomized controlled study of children at increased atopic risk [study on the prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe (SPACE)] was performed in five countries (Austria, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Lithuania) and included three cohorts of schoolchildren, toddlers and newborns. We report on the newborn cohort. A total of 696 newborns were included in Austria, Great Britain and Germany. Inclusion criteria were a positive history of parental allergy and a positive skin-prick test or specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) of ≥ 1.43 kU/l against at least one out of a panel of common aeroallergens in one or both parents. At 1 year of age the overall sensitization rate against the tested allergens [dust mite allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae (Der p and Der f, respectively)] and food allergens (egg, milk) in the prophylactic group was 6.21% vs. 10.67% in the control group. The prevalence of sensitization against Der p was 1.86% in the prophylactic group vs. 5% in the control group. In conclusion, we demonstrated, in a group of newborns at risk for atopic diseases, that the sensitization rate to a panel of aero- and food allergens could be effectively decreased through the use of impermeable mattress encasings and the implementation of preventive measures that were easy to perform