BLOOD EOSINOPHILS AND EOSINOPHIL CATIONIC PROTEIN AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION OR CORTICOSTEROID ADMINISTRATION

Measurements of eosinophil cationic protein in serum (S‐ECP) have been made in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In spite of low numbers of blood eosinophils in the acute phase of the disease S‐ECP levels fluctuated widely with often markedly raised levels. Peak levels of S‐ECP were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) to peak numbers of blood eosinophils, although the former usually occurred within the first 2–3 d of illness and the latter usually after the sixth day. Intravenous injection of 0.5 g methylprednisolone in healthy individuals reduced blood eosinophil counts for at least 24 h, but S‐ECP levels remained within normal limits. These results suggest that ECP is released from eosinophils in vivo. The raised levels of S‐ECP in patients with acute myocardial infarction are probably due to the active participation of eosinophils in the inflammatory process. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved