Elevation of plasma eotaxin levels in children with food allergy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Eosinophils play an important role in allergic responses. Eotaxin is a CC chemokine that promotes the selective recruitment of eosinophils. This study was performed to investigate the significance of eotaxin in pediatric food allergies.

METHODS:

The study population included 35 patients with food allergy, 18 patients with atopic dermatitis but without food allergy, and 19 age-matched non-allergic controls. Eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 levels in plasma were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Simultaneously, eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were assessed.

RESULTS:

Plasma eotaxin-1 levels were 93.6+/-33.4 pg/ml in patients with food allergy, 78.0+/-31.8 pg/ml in patients with atopic dermatitis, and 60.4+/-15.7 pg/ml in controls. Differences between the food allergy and control groups were significant (P<0.001). Circulating eosinophil counts in patients with food allergy were higher than those in controls (5.84+/-9.46x10(9)/l vs. 1.20+/-1.11x10(9)/l, P<0.001). Nevertheless, eotaxin-1 levels in children with food allergy were not correlated with eosinophil counts or serum IgE levels. There were no significant differences in eotaxin-3 levels between the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION:

Plasma levels of eotaxin-1 were elevated in children with food allergy. The pathophysiological relevance of the increase in eotaxin is discussed.

• Authors: Hiroki Matsuura, Akira Ishiguro, Hiroyuki Abe, Yoko Mamada, Tetsuomi Suzuki, Kyoko Kohda, Toshikazu Shimbo
• Journal: Nihon Rinsho Men'eki Gakkai kaishi = Japanese journal of clinical immunology (Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi) Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 180-5 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1349-7413 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 19564714 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chemokine CCL11

Topics

• Chemokine CCL11 (blood)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dermatitis, Atopic (blood)
• Food Hypersensitivity (blood)
• Humans
• Infant