Exhaled nitric oxide and nasal tryptase are associated with wheeze, rhinitis and nasal allergy in primary school children

Abstract

Rhinitis and asthma are the most common respiratory diseases in children. We assessed whether airway inflammation markers were associated with nasal allergies and self-reported symptoms of wheeze and rhinitis in 130 children 6–12 year old in an epidemiological context. Independent of sex and age, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and nasal mast cell (MC) activation (tryptase ≥ 5 ng/mL) were positively associated with wheeze, rhinitis and with nasal allergy. Nasal eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) markers (pH, 8-isoprostane, interleukin-1β) were not associated with symptoms or with nasal allergy. In conclusion, FeNO and nasal tryptase reflect allergic inflammation in the respiratory system.

• Eosinophil cationic protein
• exhaled breath condensate
• mast cells
• Rhinostick

Acknowledgements

The current study was part of the HEAPS (Health Effects of Air Pollution in Antwerp Schools) study. The authors would like to thank all co-workers in the project. The authors are very grateful to Antonella Palomba for her help with the Rhinostick analyses.