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Methodology
Safety and success of exhaled breath condensate collection in asthma
  1. E Baraldi,
  2. L Ghiro,
  3. V Piovan,
  4. S Carraro,
  5. F Zacchello,
  6. S Zanconato
  1. Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, University of Padua, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr E Baraldi, Department of Pediatrics, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy;
    eugi{at}pediatria.unipd.it

Abstract

Background: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a rapidly expanding area of research to study airway inflammation through the detection of volatile and non-volatile substances in the airways.

Aims: To determine the safety and feasibility of EBC procedure in a group of children with asthma of varying severity.

Methods: In a cross sectional study of children aged 4–17 years, 18 healthy and 91 asthmatic children (69 in stable condition and 22 with asthma exacerbation) underwent the EBC procedure. Outcomes assessed included completion of the procedure, decrease in FEV1, change in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and adverse effects. No pretreatment with β2 agonists was given. All children were able to successfully complete the EBC procedure.

Results: Median fall in FEV1 after the procedure was −1% (IQR −3.5, 1.8) in asthmatics and was comparable to that observed in healthy children. In only one asthmatic child did the drop in FEV1 exceed 12%. No significant changes in FENO were observed after EBC.

Conclusion: This study suggests that EBC is a simple and well tolerated method for evaluating biological samples from the lower airway. The procedure was safe in children with asthma exacerbation, and the success rate was 100% in children aged 4 years and above.

  • asthma
  • exhaled breath condensate
  • airway inflammation
  • oxidative stress
  • EBC, exhaled breath condensate
  • FENO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide
  • FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second
  • FVC, forced vital capacity
  • IQR, interquartile range

https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.88.4.358

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    Footnotes

    • This study was in part supported by the Italian Nitric Oxide Club (INOC). Dr L Ghiro and Dr V Piovan were in part supported by a grant of Regione Veneto, Ricerche Sanitarie Finalizzate (no. 885/03/99).