UPDATE IN ALLERGY TESTING IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA - HOW DO YOU KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE SUCCESSFULLY CONTROLLING THE PATIENTS INFLAMMATION

The levels of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in asthmatic pat ients have been shown to be increased in acute and undertreated asthma as a result of inflammation. ECP is released during in vitro clotting of peripheral blood. The exposure of the atopic individual to an offe nding allergen stimulates the activation of the blood eosinophils and their release of ECP into serum. Serum ECP levels reflect avoidance of the allergen, and successful treatment of asthma inflammation with co rticosteroids cause a reduction of the inflammation in the lung. When individual patients with asthma are followed, the level of serum ECP c an be used (1) as an early indicator of the degree of inflammation, (2 ) for monitoring the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy, and (3) for p ossible noncompliance with treatment. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.