Serum eosinophil cationic protein determination in asthmatic children-effect of different collecting tubes used for blood sampling.

We compared the effect of using 2 different serum collecting tubes, serum separation tubes (SST, with clot activator and gel barrier) and conventional glass tubes (with no additives), on circulating levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in asthmatic children and controls. The serum ECP values obtained from both SST and glass tubes were significantly higher in asthmatic children than in corresponding controls. ECP values were higher in serum samples using SST than in those using glass tubes (P<0.01), while no difference was found between the two in controls. ECP levels correlated with peripheral eosinophil counts, for SST samples and glass tube samples alike. The difference in ECP levels between these two tubes also correlated with circulating eosinophil counts (r = 0.62, P = 0.004) After 18-hour storage at room temperature, the ECP values increased significantly in samples obtained from asthmatic children. No difference in ECP values between SST samples and glass tube samples was found for 18 hour samples. Thus, ECP levels obtained from SST samples and glass tube samples, though reliable, should not be directly compared, especially in asthmatic children with eosinophilia.

Circulating interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in children with febrile infection--a comparison with C-reactive protein.

Circulating interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were examined in 42 febrile children with fever lasting more than 4 days. Their diagnosis were probable viral syndrome in 22, urinary tract infection (UTI) in 10, and probable bacterial pneumonia in 10. None of our study patients had detectable serum IL-1 beta. TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in children with pneumonia than in those with viral syndrome (p < 0.01). Children with UTI and pneumonia had significantly higher IL-6 and CRP, compared to those with probable viral syndrome (p < 0.01 for both IL-6 and CRP). When appropriate cutoff values are chosen, IL-6 had greatly improved specificity (86.4%, > 20 pg/ml) to demonstrate UTI and pneumonia, as compared to that using CRP (48%, > 40 mg/l). After three days' antibiotic treatment, IL-6 fell to control levels in children with UTI and pneumonia, while CRP remained elevated. There was no difference in TNF-alpha values before and after treatment. Thus, IL-6, rather than IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, may be a helpful diagnostic tool for evaluation of pediatric febrile infection. Sequential studies involving more patients are needed to determine whether IL-6 is better than CRP in this clinical setting.

Use of standard radiography to diagnose paranasal sinus disease of asthmatic children in Taiwan: comparison with computed tomography.

Paranasal sinus disease and bronchial asthma are frequently associated. Computed tomography imaging is currently the most reliable method for confirming the diagnosis of sinusitis. Due to the cost and amount of radiation during computed tomography, our aim was to analyze whether standard radiography, under computed tomography-control, had a reasonable degree of confidence in the diagnosis of sinusitis. Fifty-three asthmatic patients (42 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 9 years (range 4-14) were enrolled. We evaluated the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoidal sinuses using standard radiography (Waters' view, Caldwell view, and lateral view) and compared with computed tomography (coronal views), the latter served as a standard. Computed tomography (CT) showed paranasal sinusitis in 58% (31/53) of the asthmatic children. Compared with the results of computed tomography, standard radiography revealed a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 72.7% for maxillary sinusitis. The sensitivity and specificity for ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were 51.8%, 84.8%; 47.3%, 87.2%; and 40.8%, 93.3%, respectively. In 21 (40%) of the 53 patients, discrepancies were seen between the interpretations of standard radiography c and those of CT scans. In patients with maxillary sinusitis, the correlation between standard radiography and CT was good. However, ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were poorly demonstrated using radiography. Standard radiography can be recommended as a screening method for maxillary sinusitis, but it is not recommended for the diagnosis of other paranasal sinusitis.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Chinese children and adults.

From 1987 to 1996, we retrospectively analyzed 84 children and 38 adults admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with the diagnosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). All of the adult patients had skin biopsy finding showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Male predominance was noted in children, but not in adults. Preceding infection was noted in 40.5% of children and 31.6% of the adults (P = 0.46). 8.3% of children and 13.2% of adults had medication intake at disease onset (P = 0.62). Children had more frequent abdominal pain than the adults (70.2% vs 28.9%, P < 0.01). Renal involvement was more common and severe in adults, manifested as more frequent hypertension (P < 0.05) and heavy proteinuria (P < 0.01). During acute attack, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevation of serum C-reactive protein levels were more frequently observed in children, while elevated serum IgA and cryoglobulin levels were more common in adults. The overall prognosis was good in both age groups, although two adults developed end stage renal disease. Our study demonstrated the different expression of HSP in Chinese children and adults.