ImmunoCAP ECP

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ImmunoCAP ECP is an in vitro test for the quantitative measurement of Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) in human serum.
ECP serum measurements can be used:
  • for monitoring inflammation in asthma
  • for guiding corticosteroid treatment in asthma
  • to find non-compliant patients

Asthma patients with eosinophilic inflammation have elevated levels of ECP in serum and other body fluids such as bronchial alveolar fluid, nasal secretion and sputum. The amount of serum ECP is an objective measurement of the eosinophil inflammation status in asthma. A high level of serum ECP indicates inflammation, which is a risk factor for asthmatic patients.

Asthma therapy consists of suppressing chronic and persistent airway inflammation. Thus, it is extremely important to analyze the severity of the disease in asthma patients and to determine the effectiveness of treatment. Measuring ECP in a serum sample is an objective and direct way of estimating the severity of the airway inflammation and of following the course of the disease (1-5). 

References:

    1. Kristjánsson S, Strannegård IL, Wennergren G. Inflammatory markers in childhood asthma. Ann Med 1996; 28/5:395-399.
    2. Parra A, Prieto I,Sanz ML, Diéguez I, Resano A, Oehling AK. Serum ECP levels in asthmatic patients: Comparison with other follow-up parameters. Allergy and Asthma Proc 1996;17/4:191-197.
    3. Wever AM, Wever Hess J, Hermans J. The use of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the management of steroid therapy in chronic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27/5:519-529.
    4. Venge P. Inflammation markers in asthma. Atemwegs Lungenkr 1997;23/10:580-582.
    5. Ahlstedt S. Mediators in Allergy Diagnosis. ACI International 1998;10/2:37-44.