[Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and major basic protein (MBP) levels in patients prepared for asthma attack].

Serum ECP levels, serum MBP levels and blood eosinophil counts (Eo) were studied in patients prepared for asthma attack. Five severely asthmatic children were studied. Samples were taken just before their 33 times of home stay loading test. Serum ECP levels were significantly higher in the patients who suffered asthma attacks during their home-stay period than in those who did not. In addition, serum ECP levels were higher in the patients whose asthma attack started less than 12 hours after they returned home. However, there was no significant correlation either in serum MBP levels or peripheral eosinophil counts between these groups. These findings suggested that serum ECP levels increased in patients prepared for asthma attack.