Eosinophil cationic protein as a serological marker of disease activity in childhood bronchial asthma

To study the value of eosinophil cationic protein [ECP] as a serological marker of disease activity in childhood bronchial asthma, ECP levels were measured in 20 healthy control children and 25 asthmatic children, during and 2 weeks after acute exacerbation. The mean serum ECP level of all asthmatic patients, during and after exacerbation, was significantly higher than the control group and was significantly higher during attacks than 2 weeks after their termination. ECP levels were highest in severe attacks, but did not differ between mild and moderate attacks. ECP levels in asthmatic patients 2 weeks after mild and moderate attacks were comparable to normal; after severe attacks levels remained higher than normal. Measurement of serum ECP will be helpful in determining asthma activity and deciding the use of anti-asthma drugs

Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children

In 1992, Egypt adopted a hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. We evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination using this schedule in 180 children whose time lapse since last vaccination varied between 1 month and 5 years. None of the participants had clinical hepatitis, HBsAg was not detected in any participant and all but one had negative results for anti-HBc test. Although a high seroprotection rate [93.3%] was elicited 1 month after vaccination, there were low initial anti-HBs concentrations and both declined rapidly over time. Thus, the short interval [2 months] between the second and third doses of vaccine is less desirable in the long term. We recommend booster inoculations for all previously vaccinated children and a new vaccination schedule at 1, 2 and 9 months

Current health care of childhood bronchial asthma in Alexandria, Egypt

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of all specialized children's hospitals in Alexandria. The aim was to describe the health care delivered to children suffering from asthma and how far it complied with recent therapeutic guidelines. The pattern of asthma management was characterized by a significant underuse of prophylactic drugs in moderate/severe chronic asthma, underuse of the inhalation mode of delivery, and corticosteroids abuse as a prophylactic in between acute exacerbations in mild asthma. Also, assessment of pulmonary function [peak-flow rate] was rarely performed