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

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 (TO) and after two weeks (T1) of antibiotic treatment. IL-8 and pH values were compared by paired t-test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. IL-8 EBC levels decreased after antibiotic treatment (T0 0.36 +/- 0.03pg/ml vs T1 0.28 +/- 0.03 pg/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.