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Norm values for eosinophil cationic protein in nasal secretions: influence of specimen collection
Author(s) -
Ludger Klimek,
Gerhard Rasp
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1999.00494.x
Subject(s) - eosinophil cationic protein , nasal lavage , eosinophil , eosinophil granule proteins , mucous membrane of nose , medicine , nose , immunology , nasal passages , allergy , surgery , asthma
Background Eosinophil granulocytes play an important role in allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a specific eosinophil granule protein released upon activation of these cells. ECP concentration in nasal secretions has been demonstrated to be a good marker for the activity of eosinophilic nasal mucosal inflammation. The clinical use of such a marker requires defined values which are regarded as pathological or within normal range. In analyses of nasal secretion samples, the sampling method has an important influence on the data obtained. Objective We investigated ECP levels in nasal secretions (NS) of healthy volunteers obtained by seven different methods of sample collection to define norm values and to evaluate the clinical use of the different methods. Methods A total of 839 healthy individuals were evaluated using blowing the nose (Bl: n = 82), suction (Suc: n = 69), Okuda microsuction technique (MSuc: n = 93), absorbent cotton wool samplers (CWS: n = 156), rubber‐foam samplers (RFS: n = 193), nasal lavage (Lav: n = 112) and nasal spray washing (NSW: n = 134). Results Missing values occurred in more than 60% in Bl, Suc and MSuc, so that no norm range was defined for these methods. Norm range for ECP in NS was 5–46 ng/mL for CWS, 7–41 ng/mL for RFS, 4–51 ng/mL for NSW, and 3–31 ng/mL for Lav. Conclusions When comparing seven different methods used in this study to collect nasal secretions and determine ECP levels, the method based upon absorption or nasal washing was the best.