The diagnostic value of the bronchoalveolar lavage in interstitial lung diseases

Objective

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a diagnostic tool often used during the management of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, its diagnostic value in discrimination between entities comprising the very heterogenous group of ILD, is still a controversial issue. The objective of our study is to assess the diagnostic value of BAL in the management of ILD, by comparing the cytological findings in BAL fluid among the different diseases of this group.

Methods

It was a retrospective, observational study of 151 patients between January 2012 and December 2015. BAL fluid cytology was performed to analyse the distribution of leucocytes population subsets in patients with ILD.

Results

The mean age was 52.78 years; 74.83% were women. The analysis of the following main groups of diseases was performed : sarcoïdosis (n?=?30), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF; n?=?22), other idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (non specific interstitial pneumonia, cryptogenic organising pneumonia and respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease; n?=?20) and connective tissue disease (n?=?14).Overall, out of 141 patients, 22% had sarcoïdosis, 15.6% had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 14.18% had other idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and 9.9% had connective tissue disease (CTD). Mixed alveolitis was common in the 4 groups, sarcoïdosis had higher proportion of lymphocytes and IPF had higher neutrophils count. However, there was no significant statistical difference of BAL cellular count among these diseases (p?>?0.05). Also, the prevalence of studied diseases did not change with variation of BAL cellular count (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

Alone, the BAL cytological analysis has a limited value to provide substantial information that could lead to discriminate between diseases that form ILD. Thus, it must be always associated with other diagnostic methods.

     

Hemodynamic, pharmacokinetic and clinical response to CI-930 in congestive heart failure due to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy

CI-930, a new type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was evaluated for treatment of refractory congestive heart failure. The hemodynamic, pharmacokinetic and clinical response to the drug was determined in 10 patients. At the peak plasma concentration after intravenous CI-930, cardiac index increased from 2.0 to 2.7 liters/min/m2 (p less than 0.002), pulmonary artery wedge pressure decreased from 26 to 17 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and systemic vascular resistance decreased from 1,999 to 1,471 dynes cm-5 (p less than 0.05). Heart rate and blood pressure did not change significantly. Similar changes were observed with oral CI-930. Peak CI-930 plasma concentration occurred 1.2 +/- 0.8 hours after oral administration. Beneficial hemodynamic effects were sustained 12 to 18 hours after the oral dose. The sustained hemodynamic effects observed after oral administration appear to be related to an active metabolite of CI-930 that has prolonged duration of action and slow washout. The drug was well tolerated and has potential for treatment of congestive heart failure.     

Case Report: Trypanosoma cruzi Meningoencephalitis in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

As a result of global migration, a significant number of people with Trypanosoma cruzi infection now live in the United States, Canada, many countries in Europe, and other non-endemic countries. Trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis is a rare cause of ring-enhancing lesions in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that can closely mimic central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis. We report a case of CNS Chagas reactivation in an AIDS patient successfully treated with benznidazole and antiretroviral therapy in the United States.Trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis is a rare cause of ring-enhancing lesions in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that can closely mimic central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis is often delayed and mortality is 79–100% despite treatment^1,2; to our knowledge, only four cases of T. cruzi meningoencephalitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients have been reported in the United States.^3–6 None of the four patients have survived. We report a case of CNS Chagas reactivation in an AIDS patient successfully treated with benznidazole and antiretroviral therapy in the United States.A 49-year-old right-handed woman originally from Honduras was admitted to our hospital with a 3-week history of progressive altered mental status, headache, and right-sided weakness. On the day of symptom onset, she presented to an outside hospital and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed two ring-enhancing lesions associated with edema. She was also diagnosed with AIDS (CD4 count of 38 cells/μL and an HIV viral load of 375,000 copies/mL). The patient underwent an MRI-guided biopsy of the left parietal lesion and was diagnosed with cerebral Toxoplasmosis. After 14-days, she was discharged to continue treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine; however, she was nonadherent with her medications.On admission to our hospital, she was afebrile and physical examination was notable for altered mental status and weakness of the right upper and lower extremities (3/5, Medical Research Council scale) without sensory deficit. The MRI of the brain showed worsening ring-enhancing lesions within the right superior frontal gyrus (1.4 × 1.2 cm) and left parietal lobe (2.4 × 2.2 cm) with moderate vasogenic edema and regional mass effect and adjacent leptomeningeal enhancement. She was started on oral sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, and glucocorticosteroids. On hospital Day 5, the patient had worsening mental status and a computed tomography of the head showed enlargement of the right frontal lesion with increased edema. A lumbar puncture was performed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contained three white blood cells/μL and one red blood cell/μL. The CSF protein was 78 mg/dL and glucose was 55 mg/dL. The CSF Gram stain was negative for bacteria but Wright-Giemsa stain revealed numerous flagellated parasites consistent with T. cruzi trypomastigotes (Figure 1). Fungal and acid fast bacilli stain and cultures and CSF cryptococcal antigen were negative. Serologic studies were negative for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM but positive for T. cruzi antibody by the indirect fluorescent antibody test and enzyme immunoassay. The CSF and serum polymerase chain reaction studies were positive for T. cruzi and negative for Toxoplasma. Electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram were negative for findings to suggest Chagas cardiomyopathy.Open in a separate windowFigure 1.Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (Giemsa stain, ×1,000).The brain biopsy histopathology slides were obtained from an outside hospital, which revealed numerous intracellular organisms with rod-shaped kinetoplast, consistent with T. cruzi amastigotes (Figure 2).Open in a separate windowFigure 2.Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes with rod-shaped kinetoplasts in glial cells (Giemsa stain, ×1,000).Treatment with benznidazole 5 mg/kg/day was started for Chagasic meningoencephalitis and brain abscesses. Her mental status improved gradually, although her right-sided weakness remained unchanged. Antiretroviral therapy was started 17 days after initiation of antitrypanosomal therapy. Repeat MRI of the brain 2 weeks after treatment showed a decrease in the size of the two lesions and surrounding edema. She completed a 60-day induction therapy. At last follow-up 5 months after initial diagnosis, she was clinically stable without evidence of recurrence and her CD4 count was 359 cells/μL with HIV viral load of 162 copies/ml.Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is estimated to affect ∼8–10 million people in the world, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean.^7,8 As a result of global migration, a significant number of people with T. cruzi infection now live in the United States, Canada, many countries in Europe, and other non-endemic countries.⁹ In the United States alone, it is estimated that ∼0.3 to 1 million people are infected with T. cruzi.¹⁰Reactivation of chronic T. cruzi infection can occur in immunosuppressed patients such as those with hematologic malignancies, organ transplantation, and AIDS. In Chagas-endemic countries, T. cruzi and HIV coinfection rate ranges from 1.3% to 7.1%.¹¹ Although the chronic phase of Chagas disease in non-immunosuppressed patients most commonly manifests as cardiac disease or gastrointestinal dysfunction, the most common manifestations of T. cruzi reactivation in patients with AIDS are CNS lesions and menigoencephalitis. Most of the reported cases have occurred in HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count < 200 cells/μL.^1,2,12 T. cruzi reactivation in patients with AIDS can closely mimic cerebral toxoplasmosis clinically and radiographically, thus patients are often misdiagnosed resulting in a delay in appropriate treatment.¹²Identification of T. cruzi trypomastigote in CSF is diagnostic of chagasic encephalitis. However, a negative CSF smear does not rule out the disease. In a report of 15 cases from Argentina, CSF direct examination for T. cruzi was positive in 11 of 13 patients.² A brain biopsy may be necessary when the diagnosis remains unclear. The recommended treatment of CNS Chagas reactivation in HIV patients is benznidazole 5 mg/kg daily divided into two doses for 60–90 days and some authors recommend secondary prophylaxis with benznidazole 5 mg/kg three times per week.¹² Nifurtimox is considered an alternative treatment but clinical experience is limited. Immune reconstitution with highly active antiretroviral therapy likely plays an important role in the control of Chagas reactivation but optimal timing for initiation of antiretroviral therapy remains unclear.¹² Chagasic menigoencephalitis should be considered in HIV-infected patients with CNS lesions who are from T. cruzi-endemic areas.     

Long-term Fracture Risk in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County,Minnesota

Celiac disease is associated with decreased bone density, but there are conflicting data regarding fracture risk. We determined the fracture incidence relative to matched controls in a population-based cohort with celiac disease before and after diagnosis. Olmsted County residents with celiac disease (n = 83) diagnosed between 1950 and 2002 were compared with 166 gender and age matched controls. Fracture histories were ascertained from each subject’s medical records. Celiac disease is linked to an increased fracture risk before and after diagnosis. Before the index date, cases had a fracture rate twice that of controls (CI: 1.0–3.9, P = 0.045) and 2.5-fold greater after the index date (CI: 1.1–5.6, P = 0.026). Appendicular and axial fractures were 2.5 (CI: 0.9–6.5) and 3.2 times more likely (CI: 1.0–10.5) after the index date. These observations support a rationale for earlier detection of celiac disease, and active management of bone disease before bone effects have occurred, to reduce the persistent risk of fractures.     

Effect of cytokine gene polymorphism on histological activity index, viral load and response to treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3

AIM: To investigate the association between cytokine gene polymorphism and disease status in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 by liver biopsy, ALT, HCV RNA levels and response to treatment. METHODS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1 beta, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers. Liver biopsies were assessed by modified histological activity index (HAI) scoring system using a scale of 0-18 for grading the necro-inflammatory activity and 0-6 for staging the fibrosis. HCV RNA levels were determined by bDNA assay. The patients were treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin for 6 mo. Sustained virological response was assessed 6 mo after the completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Out of the 40 patients analyzed, 26 were males. Mean age was 40.5±12.5 years (range 18-65 years). The frequencies of different dimorphic polymorphisms based on single nucleotide substitution were as follows: IL-10-1082 G/A 85%, A/A 12.5%, G/ G 2.5%; IL-10-819 A/C 87.5%, C/C 10%, A/A 2.5%; IL-10-592 C/A 72.5%, C/C 27.5%; IL-1 C 90%, U 10%; IFN-874 T/A 50%, T/T 27.5%, A/A 22.5%; TNF-308 A/G 95%, GIG 5%; TGF-10 T/C 52.5%, C/C 35%, T/T 12.5%. The mean grades of necro-inflammatory activity of different genotypes of IL-10 at promoter site -1082 were A/A = 3.6, A/G = 5.0, and G/G = 10.0 and the difference was significant (P = 0.029). The difference in the stage of disease at a scale of 0-6 was A/A 0.8, A/G 2.3, and G/G 4.0 (P = 0.079). The difference in the HAI seemed to be related to the presence of allele -1082G. For IL-10 -819 genotypes, mean scores of fibrosis were A/A = 6.0, A/C = 2.2, and C/C = 1.0 (P = 0.020) though the inflammatory activity was not much different. No significant differences in HAI were noted among polymorphisms of other cytokines. Moreover, ALT and HCV RNA levels were not significantly different among different cvtokine polymorphisms. There was a significant correlation of HAI and HCV RNA levels with the duration of disease. TGFBBB -10 genotype CC patients had a better end of treatment response than those with other genotypes (P = 0.020). Sustained virological response to the treatment was not influenced by the cytokine polymorphism. No effect of other factors like viral load, degree of fibrosis, gender, steatosis, was observed on sustained virological response in this population infected with genotype 3. CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between cytokine polymorphisms and HAI except for the polymorphisms of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which may influence hepatic inflammatory activity and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3. Sustained virological response in this genotype does not seem to be influenced by cytokine gene polymorphisms.     

A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial of dexamethasone in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection: effects on RSV quantity and clinical outcome

Forty-one previously healthy children <2 years of age who required mechanical ventilation for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were randomized to receive dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg; n=22) or saline placebo (n=19) intravenously every 12 h for 4 days. RSV quantity was measured by quantitative plaque assay in fresh tracheal and nasal aspirates obtained at intervals of 24+/-3 h on days 0, 1, 2, 5, and 7 following entry. Analysis by linear mixed-effects modeling demonstrated a significantly greater decline in mean tracheal RSV quantity in the placebo group than in the dexamethasone group from day 0 to day 1 (0.82 vs. 0.21 log pfu/mL; P=.01) and from day 0 to day 2 (1.45 vs. 0.53 log pfu/mL; P=.03). No differences were found between groups in nasal RSV quantity, white blood cell counts in tracheal or nasal aspirates, serum neutralizing antibody titers during convalescence, or duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay.     

Effectiveness of a reciprocating single file,single cone endodontic treatment approach: a randomized controlled pragmatic clinical trial

Clinical Oral Investigations - To compare the root filling quality, the sealer extrusion, and the healing rates of apical lesions addressed via two endodontic treatment approaches. The hypothesis...     

Synthesis, antiplatelet aggregation activity, and molecular modeling study of novel substituted-piperazine analogues

Abstract  

New carbamoylpyridine and carbamoylpiperidine analogues containing nipecotic acid scaffold were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. Molecular modeling investigation was performed and the impact of lipophilicity on activity was also discussed. Structure activity relationship among this series was obtained. N ¹-[1-(4-bromobenzyl)-3-piperidino-carbonyl]-N ⁴-(2-chlorophenyl)-piperazine hydrobromide (20), and 1,4-bis-[3-[N ⁴-(2-chlorophenyl)-N ¹-(piperazino-carbonyl)]-piperidin-1-yl-methyl]-benzene dibromide (30) are the most active antiplatelet aggregating compounds in this study, both at concentration of 0.06 μM.     

Synthesis of piperazino and morpholino derivatives of aryloxypropane with potential analgesic and possible antimigraine activities

Abstract  

Modeling studies demonstrate that aryl piperazines (I), aryloxyalkylamines (II), phenylalkykamines (III) and indolylalkylamines (VI) may interact at 5-HT receptors in a similar manner. Examination of these structures (I–VI) reveals that all possess an aromatic moiety and terminal amine binding sites (Glennon et al., J Med Chem 32(8):1921–1926, 1989). In the present investigation a new series of aryloxyalkylamines (4, 5, 8, and 9) was designed and synthesized, in which the aromatic moiety is a phenyl group substituted at the 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, or 2,6-positions by halogens and the terminal amine is N-methylpiperazine, or morpholine. In addition, the alkyl side chain is ethyl, or substituted ethyl at the α- or β-carbon by a methyl group. The length of the alkyl chain that separates the terminal amine from the ether oxygen atom of the aryloxy group is of major importance, and two-carbon chain appears optimal. The structures of the new compounds were assessed by microanalyses, IR, and NMR. The analgesic activity of selected compounds was performed on experimental animals and proved to be in the range of 85–100% relative to aspirin.