The effect of corticosteroid therapy on blood eosinophils and eosinophiliccationic protein in patients with acute and chronic asthma

There is evidence that eosinophils are involved in inflammation in asthma, a correlation having been observed between blood eosinophil (B-EOS) count a nd pulmonary function. It has been suggested that eosinophils, and its prod uct, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), can serve as markers of disease act ivity. This paper examines this hypothesis. B-EOS count, serum ECP level, a nd peak expiratory flow (PEF) were estimated in two groups of asthmatics an d controls at three visits in 4 weeks. The mean B-EOS count in acute and st able asthmatic groups was higher than in controls at presentation; the diff erence was statistically significant (p < 0.02). Similarly, mean ECP was hi gher in the two groups than in controls, but with no statistically signific ant difference. The B-EOS count and serum ECP level within the groups fell between week 0 and week 4 because of treatment. There was positive correlat ion between ECP and PEF and also between B-EOS and ECP and PEF. The finding s reveal that blood eosinophils reflect some degree of activity in asthmati c patients in the acute and chronic state.