Abstract
Background: Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory airway disease characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells into bronchial tree and increased airway hyper-reactivity to various physical and chemical stimuli. The aim of this study was to detect soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2) serum levels, as marker of T lymphocyte activation in vivo, among bronchial asthmatic children in relation to infection, atopy status and disease severity. Methods: Sixty bronchial asthmatic children (30 with acute and 30 with stable asthma); and 17 apparently healthy children as controls were recruited. History taking and clinical examinations were performed among all studied groups. Venous blood sample was withdrawn for measuring of sIL-2R using ELISA technique. Pharyngeal swabs were taken for detecting organism causes the disease. Results: The predominant infection was viral with total 40% of examined cases; respiratory syncitial virus and Adenovirus were prevalent virus pathogens in asthmatic children. While Haemophilus influenza and Candida albicans were most common causes of bacterial infections. sIL-2R serum level was significantly elevated in acute and chronic asthmatic children versus controls and in acute versus chronic patients. Meanwhile, in acute asthmatic children, insignificant differences were recorded between different degrees disease severity or allergic status. Conclusion: sIL-2R is an important interleukin associated with bronchial asthma in children; this interleukin can indicate disease activity. In addition it can't be used as indicator for severity or atopy of the disease. [Laila Damanhouri and Zahira M. F. El-Sayed. Serum Soluble Interleukins-2 Receptors in Bronchial Asthmatic Children. Life Sci J 2012; 9(2): 578-584]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 89