Abstract
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and ECP/eosinophil ratio were measured in 223 apparently healthy subjects. The serum sample for ECP measurement was obtained by standardized clotting of the blood sample for 2 hours at 37°C. Eosinophil count, ECP concentration and ECP/eosinophil ratio were no different between men (n = 122) and women (n = 101). Reference ranges for serum ECP and ECP/eosinophil ratio were 12–99 μg/L and 61–367 μg ECP per 109 eosinophils, respectively. Serum ECP and blood eosinophil count were positively correlated (y = 141x + 18, R2 = 0·45, P < 0·001). The ECP/eosinophil ratio, however, was found to decrease with increasing eosinophil count.
Twenty-three per cent of the apparently healthy subjects were found to have a positive score for immunoglobulin E antibodies specific to inhalant allergens, and thus were considered atopic. Serum ECP concentrations and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in this group compared with the non-atopic group. In this healthy population no decision level for either eosinophil count, serum ECP or ECP/eosinophil ratio could be found that discriminated atopic from non-atopic individuals.