EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood asthma is a global problem. All age groups are affected by asthma and it has a great worldwide burden on health systems especially in the developing countries due to its increasing prevalence. IL13 is known to have a role in the pathophysiology of asthma and the unresponsiveness to ordinary asthma treatment As shown in literature that IL 13 gene polymorphysim is closely associated with asthma pathophysiology IL-13 gene mutation have been frequently associated with asthma. IL13 maps to chromosome 5q, a region frequently linked to asthma, total serum IgE, airway responsiveness, and other asthma related phenotypes Aim of the work: We aimed to assess allelic frequency of a SNP at position (- 4257G>A) in the human IL-13 gene coding region on chromosome 5q and IL 13 ELISA serum level in asthmatic children with various grades of asthma versus controls and assessment of Ig E level, and eosinophil count in asthmatic children and their correlation to asthma severity Patients and methods: Asthmatic children and normal subjects were included in this study from the outpatient clinics of children hospital, Cairo University. The diagnosis of asthmatic cases were fulfilled according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and patients with all grades of asthma severity were included. The SNP at position - 4257G>A in the coding region of the human IL-13 gene was detected by PCR-RFLP. Quantitative measurement of IL 13 in human serum was done. Serum IgE levels and eosinophil count were determined. Result: The mean serum IL13 Elisa, IgE and eosinophilic count varied according to asthma severity. The mean serum IL13 Elisa level was the highest in severe asthma followed by moderate asthma (2and the lowest level was found in mild asthma p=0.59. The mean serum level of IgE was highest in mild asthma followed by severe asthma and the lowest mean level was found in moderate asthma p=0.49. The mean of blood eosinphilic count was significantly highest in severe asthma followed by mild asthma and the lowest level was found in moderate asthma p=0.04. The percentage of IL 13 gene mutation in cases was found to be the highest in patients with severe asthma followed by mild and moderate asthma. The mean serum IL13 Elisa level in cases was higher than that of controls. The percentage of IL 13 gene mutation was higher in cases (35.4%) rather than controls and the differences was statistically insignificant Conclusion: We concluded that the percentage of IL 13 gene mutation was higher in asthmatic children rather than controls and IL 13 mean Elisa level was higher in cases versus controls and there was a positive correlation between Il 13 serum level and gene polymorphism and asthma severity, however this was statistically insignificant.