Urine, eosinophil protein X (EPX) is an in vitro parameter of inflammationin atopic dermatitis of the adult age

Background: Eosinophils are important effector cells in several atopic dise ases. The levels of eosinophil granule-derived mediators (ECP, EPX) in seru m and body fluids have been proven to be correlated with disease activity i n atopic respiratory diseases and atopic. dermatitis. The study aimed to de monstrate an interrelationship between urine EPX and disease activity in ad ult patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods: We determined urine EPX concentration, serum ECP concentration, an d peripheral blood eosinophil count in 40 adult patients with mild to sever e atopic dermatitis and compared it with the disease activity as assessed w ith the SCORAD index. Results: Urine EPX and serum ECP concentrations were significantly higher i n patients with severe atopic dermatitis than in patients with mild or mode rate disease (median values 123.5 vs 78.3 mug/mmol creatinine, P <0.0001; 2 5.4 vs 14.9 mug/l, P <0.0001, respectively). We found a significant correla tion between urine EPX levels, serum ECP levels, and the SCORAD (r=0.36, P <0.0001 and 0.34, P <0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Urine EPX is a useful in vitro parameter of inflammation in at opic dermatitis of the adult age.