EOTAXIN IN INDUCED SPUTUM OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN: EFFECT OF DISEASE STATUS AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY THERAPY .

Abstract

A case-control study was performed on 50 asthmatic children aged 7-12 years as well as ten age-and sex-matched normal control. According to their disease conditions, asthmatic patients were classified as stable (n=22) or unstable (n=28) status. Jn addition, the patients were further classified into corticosteroid (+ve) group (n=21) and corticosteroid (-ve) group (n=29) based on their medication treatment. Sputum eotaxin level was significantly higher in patients (10.84±2.12 pg/ml) than in controls (8.32±0.74 pg/ml) (p=O.OlO). Levels were significantly higher in unstable (12.08±1.80 pg/ml) than stable (9.20±1.22 pg/ml) groups (p=0.005). Sputum eotaxin level & sputum eosinophil percentage in the unstable asthmatic group after 2 months of treatment adjustment were significantly lower to pre-treatment values (p=0.005 & 0.006 respectively). Sputum eotaxin showed significant positive correlation with the sputum eosinophil and significant negative correlation with the FEV1, FEVI/FVC%, PEFR and FEF25-75%.