Bay Biosciences provides high-quality, fresh frozen biopsy tissue samples. FFPE  tissue blocks with matched fresh, frozen sera (serum), plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids from patients diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma.

Moreover, the serum, plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from eosinophilic asthma patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.

Furthermore, the biopsy tissue and matched biofluid samples are collected from unique patients diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma and are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.

Eosinophilic Asthma (EA) Overview

Eosinophilic  asthma (EA) is a rare sub-type of asthma, which is often severe and usually comes on in adults.

Unlike other kinds of asthma, however, eosinophilic asthma involves abnormally high levels of a particular type of white blood cell called eosinophils.

These cells, called eosinophils, are a natural part of the body’s immune system. They fight infections and attack invading bacteria.

However, in patients with eosinophilic asthma, these white blood cells (eosinophils) cause inflammation and swelling in the airways and the respiratory system.

The higher the levels of eosinophils in the blood, the more severe the symptoms of asthma can be. Affecting the sinuses and nasal passages as well as the lower airways.

Generally, as the level of eosinophils increases, inflammation and other symptoms of asthma become more severe.

EA is not too common and is difficult to treat. It’s not clear how many people have this subtype of asthma, but scientists think that about five percent of all adults with asthma have eosinophilic asthma.

According to the American Lung Association there are 25 million asthma patients in the United States out of which 5-10% patients suffer from severe asthma.

The main treatment for asthma are usually drugs called inhaled corticosteroids, which usually don’t work on eosinophilic asthma patients.

This means that it is difficult to manage the disease and patient’s are most likely to have asthma attacks.

Signs and Symptoms of Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)

Eosinophilic asthma is a subtype of asthma that’s usually severe and often much harder to keep in check. The symptoms can be similar to other types of asthma, but sometimes they have their own twist to them. Patients with eosinophilic asthma often have other health conditions as well.

Following are the common signs and symptoms of eosinophilic asthma:

• Cough 
• Chronic sinus infections
• Dizziness
• Difficulty doing routine activities
• Fatigue
• Eosinophilia, or higher than normal levels of eosinophils in the blood
• Loss of sense of smell (Anosmia)
• Nasal drainage 
• Nasal polyps
• Obstructed airflow
• Shortness of breath
• Stuffy nose
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing

While these symptoms are the same as other kinds of asthma, they tend to be more constant and severe with eosinophilic asthma.

Patients suffering from eosinophilic asthma are also likely to have more frequent asthma attacks, which tend to be more dangerous.

Causes of Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)

Exact cause of eosinophilic asthma is unknown and has not been identified. While other forms of asthma are triggered by allergic responses or environmental factors, such as pollen or pet hair, eosinophilic asthma does not develop in this way.

High levels of eosinophils can develop when the body is fighting off a parasitic infection, but scientists have not yet determined what causes these levels to spike in cases of eosinophilic asthma.

Asthma can run in families, so researchers are exploring the possibility of a genetic connection. However, no direct genetic link has been found as yet with eosinophilic asthma.

Eosinophils and Eosinophil Count Test

Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)

A patient who is diagnosed with asthma and does not respond well to treatment, your doctor may suspect you have a less common subtype of asthma.

They’ll likely evaluate your condition and look for additional signs or symptoms that can direct them toward a diagnosis.

In the case of eosinophilic asthma, the easiest step is to check the patients white blood cells levels. For this, a sample of blood, sputum, or saliva and a bronchial biopsy will be collected and sent to a lab for testing.

High levels of eosinophils can confirm the suspected diagnosis of eosinophilic asthma.

The first step in diagnosing eosinophilic asthma is diagnosing severe asthma. The next steps involve evaluating:

• Chronic blocked airways
• Chronic sinus disease
• Limited airflow 
• Response to systemic steroid medications, such as oral corticosteroids
• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Nasal polyps

Scientists have discovered that the symptoms of eosinophilic asthma differ from classic asthma and, in fact, more closely resemble those of chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD).

Treatment of Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)

Following are some of the available treatments for eosinophilic asthma:

Corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids doesn’t work for every patient, so your doctor may prescribe the pill version. Corticosteroid pills have more side effects and complications than an inhaler.

Fact-Acting Inhalers

Rescue inhalers are commonly prescribed for people with asthma. These can help patients with eosinophilic asthma, but rescue inhalers may lose their efficacy and stop working over time.

Leukotriene Modifiers

Some of the chemicals in your immune system that cause asthma symptoms are called leukotrienes. Eosinophils love to team up with leukotrienes and cause inflammation in your upper and lower airways.

Commonly prescribed medicines called leukotriene modifiers, such as montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), and zileuton (Zyflo) relieve the effects of leukotrienes and ease asthma symptoms.

Biologic Therapies