Release of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in anaphylactoid anaesthetic reactions in vivo and in vitro.

In patients with anaphylactoid reactions (AR) to neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMB), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was released both in vivo and in vitro, and in IgE-dependent and IgE-independent reactions. Thus, eosinophils may play a role in both types of reactions, and ECP release tests may be of value in the diagnosis and study of the mechanism of AR.