[Serum levels of IL-5 and LTB4 in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura].

Objective This study investigated the serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5), leukotriene B_4 (LTB_4) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) at different phases to explore the role of IL-5 , LTB_4 and CRP in the pathogenesis of HSP. Methods Serum levels of IL-5, LTB_4 and CRP in 27 normal children and 31 children with HSP at the acute phase and the early recovery phase were detected using ELISA. Results The serum levels of IL-5, LTB_4 and CRP in children with HSP were 53.8±4.2 pg/mL, 95.3±12.0 pg/mL and 36.10± 11.78 mg/L , respectively at the acute phase. The values were significantly decreased at the early recovery phase (37.8± 3.9 pg/mL , 45.7±10.1 pg/mL, 18.35±6.43 mg/L; P0.01), but remained higher than those in normal controls (12.7± 3.2 pg/mL , 17.6±5.7 pg/mL, 4.75±2.85 mg/L; P0.01). The serum levels of IL-5 and LTB_4 positively correlated to the CRP level. Conclusions The serum levels of IL-5 and LTB_4 in children with HSP increased during the acute phase and decreased at the early recovery phase, suggesting that IL-5 and LTB_4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of HSP.