Objective: To evaluate the significance of EG1 or EG2 positive eosinophils in relating to the severity of asthma.
Method: EDTA-anticoagulated venous blood were treated by FOG method, and FTTC-conjugated monoclonal antibodies were added. Flow cytometry technique was used.
Result: EG1 and EG2 positive eosinophils increased significantly in patients with acute asthma (n = 29) as compared with control (n = 13) and COPD (n = 12), P < 0.05. There were significant correlation of the mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) between EG1, EG2 and the degree of the symptom.
Conclusion: There is a significant increase of activated eosinophils in peripheral blood in asthmatics, the expression of EG1 and EG2 positive eosinophils correlated well with the severity of symptom in asthmatics. EG1 and EG2, as the marker for eosinophils activity, may be sensitive and specific in evaluating the severity of asthmatics symptom.