Is Expression of the CD44 Adhesion Molecule on Eosinophils a Predictive Marker of Bronchial
Asthma in Infants with Wheezing
Kopřiva F.1, Zápalka M.1, Ordeltová M.2, Szotkowská J.2
Dětská klinika FN a LF UP, Olomouc1 přednosta prof. MUDr. V. Mihál, CSc. Ústav klinické imunologie FN, Olomouc2přednosta doc. MUDr. E. Weigl, CSc.Diferenciální diagnóza astmatu a recidivující obstrukční bronchitidy v kojeneckém a batolecím věku je stále |
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Summary:
The differential diagnosis of asthma and relapsing obstructive bronchitis in infant and toddler age is still
difficult. Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory pathways where a number of cells is
involved, in particular mast cells, eosinophil cells and T-lymphocytes, but also epithelial cells. CD44 is an adhesive
molecule which can be detected also on the surface of activated eosinophils. In 21 children aged 7 - 38 months
admitted to the department with the diagnosis of obstructive bronchitis, on admission the level of serum eosinophil
cationic protein was assessed as well as the absolute number of eosinophil leukocytes, the total serum immunoglobulin
E and percentage of eosinophils with CD44 expression. A check-up examination of the mentioned
parameters was made one month and one year after the baseline sampling.
In the course of a one-year follow up based on the clinical picture and assembled results of three samplings in
10 children the diagnosis of bronchial asthma was made and in 11 children the diagnosis of obstructive bronchitis.
In asthmatic children as compared with the group with obstructive bronchitis a lower percentage ratio of
eosinophils with expression of CD44 was found: during the first examination 28.30% vs. 51.82%, during the
examination after one month 33.40% vs. 49.55% and during the examination after one year 33.40% vs. 59.60%.
A negative correlation was found between the serum eosinophil cationic protein and percentage eosinophil ratio
with CD44 expression. After evaluation of the assembled results it is possible that a lower number of eosinophil
cells with CD44 expression is a sign of activity of the eosinophil inflammation and the result of the passage of
eosinophils into the bronchial wall.
Assessment of the percentage ratio of eosinophils with expression of CD44 may become a parameter in the
differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma and relapsing bronchitis in infants and toddlers.
Key words:
bronchial asthma, obstructive bronchitis, eosinophil with expression of adhesion molecule CD44
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