Bronchoalveolar lavage and serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in chronic asthma and bronchial carsinoma

BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE AND SERUM EOSINOPHIL CATIONIC PROTEIN  LEVELS IN CHRONIC ASTHMA AND BRONCHIAL CARCINOMA

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Immunoglobuline E (IgE) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are important markers for atopy and allergic inflamation. Elevated ECP levels may be found in the serum as well as the bronchoalveolar and nasopharyngeal secretions in many diseases, including asthma, bronchiolitis and infections.

METHODS

The ECP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in serum was measured in 15 patients with chronic pulmonary diseases such as bronchial carsinoma (7 of patients) and asthma (8 of patients).

RESULTS

ECP levels in BAL fluids were higher in the patients with asthma  (mean ECP level : 1,75 mcg/L) than in the bronchial carsinoma group (mean ECP level : 4 mcg/L). Serum ECP levels ; were found 8,5 mcg/L  in asthmatic group, and 3,4 mcg/L in patients with bronchial carcinoma.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion we can say that serum and BAL ECP levels are useful markers for predicting eosinophilic airways inflamation, and serum ECP concentrations may be helpful noninvasive markers of atopic asthma.