ECP (Eosinophil Cationic Protein)

• As a clinical biomarker in asthma and inflammation.
• To monitor inflammation caused by asthma.
• ECP test helps in optimizing appropriate corticosteroid treatment in asthmatic patients.
• ECP test is also useful in follow-up on patient compliance in anti-inflammatory asthma therapy.
• ECP test is useful in monitoring conditions involving eosinophil activation like atopic dermatitis, certain infections, autoimmune conditions in the joints, gut and in some parasitic diseases.

You should consider the ECP test if you have any of the following symptoms of asthma:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Tight chest or pain in chest
• Coughing
• Trouble sleeping

ECP test measures the level of Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) in serum.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Below 13.3 μg/L

A positive ECP test indicates that there is eosinophil activation in the body which suggests an inflammation either due to asthma, atopic dermatitis, infections, or autoimmune conditions. Further confirmatory testing is indicated if ECP is positive. A negative result indicates that differential diagnoses must be considered.