IL-8 and pH values in exhaled condensate after antibiotics in cystic fibrosis children

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2007 Jul-Sep;20(3):467-72. doi: 10.1177/039463200702000305.

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-8 is a major factor in inflammatory response and the IL-8 levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may be used as a marker of airway inflammation. Airway acidification is implicated in the pathophysiology of obstructive airway diseases and pH EBC values have been used as a marker of airway acidification. The aim of our study is to investigate whether IL-8 and pH levels in EBC of cystic fibrosis (CF) children with respiratory exacerbations change after antibiotic treatment. Lung function, IL-8 and pH EBC values were measured in fifteen CF children (mean age 11 years) with acute exacerbation before (T0) and after two weeks (T1) of antibiotic treatment. IL-8 and pH values were compared by paired t-test. A p less than 0.05 was considered significant. IL-8 EBC levels decreased after antibiotic treatment (T0 0.36+/-0.03pg/ml vs T1 0.28+/-0.03pg/ml; p=0.03) and pH values increased (T0 7.36+/-0.09 vs T1 7.61+/-0.08; p=0.04). Results suggest possible application of EBC as a non-invasive tool to monitor efficacy of antibiotic treatment in CF patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Breath Tests
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / immunology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Interleukin-8 / analysis*
  • Interleukin-8 / immunology
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / complications
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-8