Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin as a biomarker of recurrent
wheezing/asthma after respiratory infection
Abstract
Background: Respiratory tract infection in infancy can cause
symptomatic wheezing or asthma later in childhood. Eosinophil-derived
neurotoxin (EDN), a single-chain polypeptide with a molecular mass of
18.6 kDa, has been proposed to play a role in the development of
recurrent wheezing and asthma; however, this fact remains unclear.
Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether EDN is a risk factor
for recurrent wheezing and asthma in pediatric patients following
respiratory tract infection. Method: From October 2021 to March
2022, we tracked children hospitalized for respiratory tract infections
at the Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital. All patients
underwent medical history collection, EDN testing, and induced sputum
testing and were followed up at 6 months and 1 year post-discharge.
Multifactor analysis was subsequently conducted using stepwise logistic
regression analysis. Results: A total of 183 participants were
enrolled in this study. Statistical analyses revealed that elevated EDN
levels increased the risk of asthma following respiratory infection in
young children. Children with a history of allergies or allergic
rhinitis further exhibited elevated EDN levels. Conclusion: EDN
may be a useful biomarker to predict the development of asthma following
respiratory tract infections in infants and could be used as a useful
screening tool for allergic diseases, particularly allergic rhinitis.