Murat-Susić S, Lipozencić J, Zizić V, Husar K, Marinović B
Department of Dermatovenerology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
Int J Dermatol. 2006 Oct;45(10):1156-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.02865.x.
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.
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.
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 < 0.001) in the patients with AD compared with the control group. These laboratory parameters did not correlate with the severity of AD. The serum ECP median level, in the children with AD, was 16.2 microg/L (range 3.01-65.30) compared with 5.92 microg/L (range 2.76-21.90) in the control group. Correlation of the total SCORAD index and the serum ECP levels was negative, weak (r = -0.065) and statistically not significant (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).
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.
嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白（ECP）是活化的嗜酸性粒细胞在过敏和炎症过程中分泌的一种细胞毒性因子。本研究旨在确定特应性皮炎（AD）患儿与非特应性患儿的ECP水平、嗜酸性粒细胞绝对计数和相对计数以及IgE抗体，并评估这些实验室参数与AD临床严重程度的相关性。
这项前瞻性研究纳入了70名儿童。其中49名3至36个月大的AD患儿，对照组包括21名个人及家族特应性疾病史均为阴性的儿童。两组均详细记录病史，并测定血清ECP水平（免疫化学发光法）、嗜酸性粒细胞相对计数和绝对计数以及血清总IgE抗体。对于AD患儿，采用SCORAD指数评估皮肤受累情况。
计算得出的SCORAD指数在16至83之间。与对照组相比，AD患者的IgE抗体、嗜酸性粒细胞相对计数和绝对计数的数值范围明显更宽，中位数在统计学上更高（P < 0.001）。这些实验室参数与AD的严重程度无关。AD患儿的血清ECP中位数水平为16.2μg/L（范围3.01 - 65.30），而对照组为5.92μg/L（范围2.76 - 21.90）。总SCORAD指数与血清ECP水平的相关性为负，较弱（r = -0.065），且在统计学上无显著意义（P > 0.05）。血清ECP与皮肤变化强度（r = -0.095）以及血清ECP与主观症状（r = -0.045）之间的相关性也相同。血清ECP与皮肤病变范围的相关性为正，但较弱且在统计学上无显著意义（r = 0.079，P > 0.05）。
AD患者的ECP水平、嗜酸性粒细胞相对计数和绝对计数以及IgE抗体均升高。由于这些实验室检查结果与AD的严重程度无关，它们仅可被视为评估AD患者的辅助方法。
