Role of interleukin 33 as a biomarker in children with asthma

Background: Asthma is an inflammatory condition and is regarded as the most prevalent chronic illness influencing kids. In asthmatic airways, serum levels of Interleukin 33 (IL-33) are associated with the frequency of airway hyper-responsiveness and the illness severity. This research aimed to compare serum concentration of Interleukin 33 in asthmatic cases and non-asthmatic controls and correlate its level to the severity of asthma and laboratory variables. Methods: Hundred kids with bronchial asthma recruited from the Chest and Allergy clinic at pediatric department of Banha University Hospital in the period from June 2024 till March 2025 and twenty apparently healthy controls have been selected for this research. ELISA tests have been performed for recognition of serum concentrations of Interleukin 33 and IgE for all individuals. Results: A significant variance has been observed among asthmatic and control groups regarding blood Eosinophils (p=0.001), total IgE serum concentration (p-value equal to 0.001) and Interleukin 33 serum concentration (p-value equal to 0.002). A significant positive association has been observed among IL-33 and total IgE (p = 0.0001), and between IL-33 and eosinophils (p-value equal to 0.001). Additionally, a significant positive association has been observed among IL-33 serum levels and asthma severity. The optimum cutoff value of Interleukin 33 was 12.5 pg/mL which was deemed to be the diagnostic level of asthma with specificity 65% and sensitivity 97%. Conclusions: Serum Interleukin 33 is raised in kids had asthma and is an indicator with the severity of the illness.