Background There is currently considerable interest in the potential value of selective inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 in the treatment of asthma. However, whether they influence eosinophilic airway inflammation-associated cough remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor SB207499 on cough response and airway inflammation in guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Methods Forty sensitized guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: control (n=10), challenge (n=10), SB207499 (n=10) and aminophylline (n=10), then challenged with aerosol of 1% ovalbumin or saline. Two hours later, animals were intraperitoneally injected with either saline, 25 mg/kg of SB207499 or aminophylline. At the 24th hour, the injection was repeated with 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg SB207499 or aminophylline, then cough response to inhaled capsaicin and airway responsiveness to methacholine inducing a 150% of the peak airway pressure to the baseline (PC150) was measured. Finally, total cell number and differentials in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analysed. Results The cough frequency per 3 minutes and PC150 in the challenge group were (22±4) times/3 minutes and (198±54) μg/ml, which were significantly different from (6±2) times/3 minutes and (691±81) μg/ml in the control group (P