Eosinophil protein X and eosinophil cationic protein as indicators of intestinal inflammation in infants with atopic eczema and food allergy

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of allergic i ntestinal inflammation in infants with food allergy and atopic eczema befor e and after elimination diet, and to evaluate the use of eosinophil protein X (EPX) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the monitoring of inflamm atory activity. Methods The study material comprised 25 infants with atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Thirteen healthy infants served as controls. Faecal and serum samples were collected before an elimination diet (on the first visit to t he hospital) and approximately 3 months later for the determination of EPX and ECP. Results Before the elimination diet, infants with atopic dermatitis demonst rated markedly higher faecal concentrations of EPX and ECP than healthy con trols (P = 0.0003, P < 0.0001, respectively). The faecal concentrations of EPX and ECP showed a distinct decrease as a result of an adequate eliminati on diet in patients with favourable clinical response (P = 0.0027, P = 0.00 4, respectively). Conclusions The results indicate the presence of marked intestinal inflamma tion in patients with atopic dermatitis and food allergy. The determination of faecal ECP and especially of faecal EPX provides a promising noninvasiv e tool in monitoring intestinal inflammation and disease activity in infant s with atopic eczema and food allergy.