SERUM INTERLEUKIN-13-IN ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

Abstract

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a recently characterized cytokine which is thought to play a in role allergic asthma, mainly through induction of immuoglobulin (IgE) isotype switching in allergic inflammation. IL-13 is actively secreted during the late asthmatic response in asthmatic subjects. In view of its action on eosinophils and other cell types, IL-13 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophil-related inflammation, such as bronchial asthma. This work aimed to study the role of IL-13 in bronchial asthma in Egyptian children. The study included thirty-four asthmatic children suffering from acute exacerbation of their asthma. Their ages ranged from 3-14 years of age. Ten apparently healthy age and sex matched children were included in the study as controls. Patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, complete clinical examination, chest X-ray, complete blood picture, urine analysis, stools analysis and total serum IgE levels. IL-13 in serum was measured in all studied children

(patients and controls) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.