Eosinophil counts and leukotriene C4 and D4 levels in adult asthmatics seen at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Forty four asthmatic patients, 20 females and 24 males with mean age of 40 years (range 18 years - 65 years) were studied during the period 1987 - 1988 as they presented at Kenyatta National Hospital (K.N.H.) casualty department or ohest clinic. None of the patients had taken any medications in the preceding two weeks. Leukotrienes 04 and D4 (LTC4, LTD4) levela were determined by radioimmunoassay. Peak expirato y flow rate (P.E.F.R.) of the subjects were compared with that expected for the age,- sex and height and expressed as a percentage. Totaland differential white cell count was done and eosinophil count calculated by multiplying the total white cell count by the percentage eosinophils. In addition 18 normal individuals, 12 males and 6 females had their serum LTC4 and LTD4 levels determinedo 83.3% of chronic asthmatics had eosinophilia, 16.7% had normal eosinophil counts and none had eosinopenia. Their average P.E.F.R. was 66% ± 7.6 (S.D.). Leukotrienes were undetectable by the method used. There was an inverse relationship between P.E.F.R. and eosinophil count (P(O.Ol) •

21.4% of the patients with acute asthma had eosinophilia, 14.3% had eosinopenia and 64.3% had normal eosinophil counts. LTC4/ LTD4 ranged from 100 - 300 pg I mlo They had a mean P.E.F.R. of 25.6% (S.D. 22%). There was neither a relationship between PEFR and eosi~ophil count nor was there any relationship between eosinophil count and LTC4 / LTD4 levels. There was a significant inverse relationship between LTC 4 I" LTD4 levels and PEFR • • In stable asthmatics the average eosinophil count was 202 x 109/L• 83.3% had normal eosinophil counts, 16.7% had mild eosinophilia and none had eosinopenia

none of the normal individuals had detectable