The aim of this study was to research how special forms of therapy in children with asthma influenced IgE and ECP levels.

Subjects and methods: In 100 children, diagnosed as mild and moderate asthma (according to: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. National Institutes of Health. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 88:425.) we measured: 1. IgE levels before therapy (1.IgE), 2. IgE after some period of therapy (2.IgE), and: 3. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels, by Radioimmunoassay method (Kabi Pharmacia Diagnostics, Sweden). According to treatment, children were classified into 4 groups: 1. Ketotifen (Dihalar) group, 2. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) group, 3. Sodium cromoglycate (Intal) group, and 4, Inhaled steroid (IS) plus β2-agonist group.

In statistic analysis we used Kruskal-Walis analysis of variance and Wilcoxon's test of ranks' amount.

The results were as follows:Table

Table 1
Full size table

According to the age Dihalar group was statistically significant the youngest (p<0.01), and they had the mildest form of the disease. The duration of therapy was the shortest in IS group and Intal group(P< 0.05). Analysis of the 1.IgE levels showed statistically significant higher levels in SIT group (p< 0.05). Analysis 2. IgE levels didn't show statistically significant difference among tested groups (p= 0.2). Analysis of ECP didn't show any statistically significant difference among examined groups (p = 0.4).

Comparing I.IgE and 2. IgE we've got the following results:Table

Table 2
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In the Intal group 2. IgE had statistically significant lower levels (p < 0.05), while in the other groups there wasn't significant difference.

Conclusion: Therapy with Intal in asthmatic children decreased significantly total serum IgE levels (p< 0.05), while other therapies(Dihalar, SIT, IS) didn't show significant correlation. Levels of serum ECP in mentioned therapeutic groups were not statistically significant different. ECP as a marker of inflammation in asthma is useful and sensitive indicator during exacerbation of illness, but it is necessary to combine it with functional lung parameters in aim to improve its specific quality.