Does eosinophil cationic protein in sputum and blood reflect bronchial inflammation and obstruction in allergic asthmatics?
In the assessment of asthma severity and monitoring of asthma drug therapy, eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) have been identified in blood but rarely in sputum. The aim of our study was to determine if ECP concentrations in blood and sputum reflect bronchial inflammation and obstruction in allergic asthmatics and if inhaled steroids influence this relationship. We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 42 allergic asthmatic outpatients from a respiratory medicine department, of whom 22 were on beta 2-adrenergic agonists only and 20 were treated with low doses of inhaled steroids. Spirometry and methacholine challenge were performed and eosinophils and ECP values in induced sputum and blood were determined. The age and FEV1 were similar in both groups. It was found that in patients receiving inhaled steroids, the methacholine PD20 was higher than in patients on beta 2-adrenergic agonists only. However, there were no significant differences in serum and sput
