Plasma and Cell Culture Supernate Eotaxin Levels in Children with Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

The eosinophil specific chemokine, eotaxin was assayed by ELISA in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatant fluid of 14 asthmatic children, 6-12 years old, during an asthma exacerbation and after complete remission of symptoms and physical signs. They were recruited consecutively from the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit of Ain Shams University Chilctren's Hospital and followed up to be resampled 10-14 days later during their basal state. The eotaxin levels were compared to those of 9 healthy age and sex matched children enrolled as a control group.

The plasma eotaxin levels assayed during asthma exacerbations [median = 335 pg/ml, mean (SD) = 364 (277) pg/ml] were statistically comparable to those of the same patients studied inbetween attacks [median= 215 pg/ml, mean (SD) = 288.6 (252.7) pg/ml]. However, the healthy children had much lower plasma eotaxin levels [median= 50 pg/ml, mean (SD) = 59.0 ± 39.8 pg/ml] as compared to the patients' levels whether during acute or stable asthma.