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Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a sensitive measure for disease activity in atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
CZECH W.,
KRUTMANN J.,
SCHÖPF E.,
KAPP A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1992.tb00677.x
Subject(s) - eosinophil cationic protein , medicine , atopic dermatitis , exacerbation , immunoglobulin e , eosinophil , immunology , clinical significance , gastroenterology , asthma , antibody
Summary Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by alterations in cellular and humoral immunity including elevated serum levels of IgE, IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). In order to evaluate the relevance of these serum parameters as indicators of disease activity, the concentrations of IgE, IL‐2R and ECP were measured in serum samples of patients with an acute exacerbation of AD ( n =19) on admission to hospital and every 6 days up to discharge, and compared with those from normal non‐atopic controls ( n = 15). The severity of the disease in the AD patients was examined using an established clinical scoring system. On admission, AD patients showed significantly elevated serum levels of IgE, IL‐2R and ECP compared with normal controls ( P ≤0.0001). Clinical improvement was associated with a decrease of both the clinical score ( P ≤0.001) and serum ECP levels ( P ≤0.005). No significant changes in serum IgE and serum IL‐2R were observed. In addition, there was a significant correlation between serum ECP and the clinical score ( R =0.67, P ≤0.001). These data indicate that serum ECP may be a helpful tool for monitoring disease activity in AD.