Abstract:

Objective  To compare the serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Methods  Serum levels of ECP were investigated by using the  ImmunoCAP100E system in patients with CRSwNP (n=99) and CRSsNP (n=59), and in healthy controls (n=84). Results  Significantly different serum levels of ECP were observed among the CRSwNP, CRSsNP, and control groups (P＜0.05). Intergroup analysis showed that the serum levels of ECP were significantly higher in patients with CRSwNP than in the controls (P＜0.01), especially in the moderatetosevere group compared with the control group (P＜0.01). There was no significant difference between the CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups (P＞0.05), as well as between the mild and moderatetosevere patients in the CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups(P＞0.05). Conclusion  Eosinophilic inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP and CRSsNP, however, there is no relationship between disease severity and ECP levels in the serum.

Key words: Chronic rhinosinusitis; Nasal polyps; Eosinophil cationic protein