Anti-interleukin-8 autoantibody in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease

BACKGROUND: A high concentration of interleukin (IL)-8 has been observed in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), although the pattern varies depending on the type of CLD. Alveolar fluid from patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) also contains an elevated level of IL-8. Recently, the presence of anti-IL-8 autoantibody was demonstrated in the alveolar fluid from patients with ARDS. METHODS AND RESULTS: The concentration of anti-IL-8 autoantibody in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with CLD was measured in order to discover whether there was any correlation with the concentration of IL-8. Similar to IL-8 concentration, the anti-IL-8 IgM antibody concentration in all infants with CLD following intrauterine infection was already high during the first 48 h. However, the concentration in infants with CLD following respiratory distress syndrome began to increase after 11 days of life, in contrast with the rise in IL-8 between 48 h after birth and day 5. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anti-IL-8 autoantibody may provide a mechanism that limits the bioavailability of free IL-8 in the lungs. In addition, the time lag between the increase in IL-8 and anti-IL-8 IgM autoantibody demonstrated in the present study could be used to estimate the time when the inflammation begins, even if the IL-8 concentration is already high.     

甲状腺细针吸取细胞学检查对儿童甲状腺疾病的诊断价值

目的探讨细针吸取细胞学检查对儿童甲状腺疾病诊断的价值。方法甲状腺肿大患儿１６例，男２例，女１４例，用细针吸取甲状腺组织，放在玻片上经特殊染色后，于光学显微镜下观察细胞形态学的改变。结果１６例患儿共行２０次穿刺，１９次为一次穿刺成功。于光学显微镜下直接作出细胞组织学的诊断。２０次穿刺均无不良反应。结论细针吸取细胞学检查的方法同样可应用于儿童甲状腺疾病的诊断，而且这种方法操作简便，安全。     

Downregulatory cytokines in tracheobronchial aspirate fluid from infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity

Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) is associated with an inflammatory response in the preterm lung and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in tracheobronchial aspirate fluid (TAF). We investigated TAF levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokines possibly important in downregulating the proinflammatory response and/or inducing lung fibrosis in infants with developing and established CLD. Infants with CLD (n = 24) were compared with preterm infants with RDS that resolved (n = 22) and postoperative infants without lung disease (n = 23). TAF levels of TGF-beta1, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-12 were studied by quantitative enzyme immunoassay. Levels of TGF-beta1 were significantly higher during the first week of life in infants who developed CLD, remained high at 2 wk and past 4 wk of age. TAF levels of TGF-beta1 did not decrease significantly in six infants with CLD after treatment with steroids. TAF IL-10 was detected in 12/46 (26%) preterm infants. Infants with CLD or RDS were more likely to have measurable TAF levels of IL-10, compared with the postoperative infants without lung disease (p < 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). TAF levels of IL-4 or IL-12 were below the detection limits in all samples. Conclusions: We have demonstrated a sustained increase of TGF-beta1 levels in TAF from preterm infants who develop CLD, suggesting an important role for TGF-beta1 in the fibrotic response in the CLD lung. The elevated TGF-beta1 levels, combined with an absent or irregular secretion of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12, can have importance for the increased tendency for the development of CLD in preterm infants.     

Interleukin 8 in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants acts as a neutrophil chemotactic factor in the development of chronic lung disease

BACKGROUND: We have already reported that there are some periods when a high interleukin 8 (IL-8) concentration is observed in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), although the changing pattern of the IL-8 concentration varies depending on the type of CLD. Interleukin 8 is known as a neutrophil chemotactic agent. Therefore, we asked whether IL-8 is an important neutrophil chemotactic factor in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants who later develop CLD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured the neutrophil chemotactic activity of the tracheobronchial aspirate in CLD infants with or without anti-IL-8 antibody. Preincubation with anti-IL-8 immunoglobulinG resulted in a significant reduction of neutrophil chemotactic activity in the tracheobronchial aspirate. In infants with CLD following respiratory distress syndrome, there was a significant relationship between the IL-8 concentration and the neutrophil chemotactic activity of tracheobronchial aspirate without anti-IL-8 antibody, although no significant relationship was seen in infants with CLD following intra-uterine infection or with other CLD. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin 8 in the tracheobronchial aspirate seems to play a significant role in recruiting neutrophils into the airways of patients with CLD, especially CLD following respiratory distress syndrome. We believe that in this type of CLD, IL-8 in the lung is generated as a result of hyperoxia rather than infection. In this situation, production of other neutrophil chemotactic factors or some factors that inhibit IL-8 activity may be insignificant.     

Early increase of TNFα and IL-6 in tracheobronchial aspirate fluid indicator of subsequent chronic lung disease in preterm infants

AIM—To investigate if early changes in concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in tracheobronchial aspirate fluid (TAF) from preterm infants could be used to detect infants at risk of chronic lung disease (CLD) and help in the selection of patients for early steroid treatment.METHODS—Twenty eight preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation (median 26 weeks) were intubated and daily measurements of TAF concentrations of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and the interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were made, using enzyme immunoassay techniques.RESULTS—Seventeen of the infants developed CLD. The infants who developed CLD had significantly increased concentrations of TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6 on days 2 and 3. TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations were significantly related to gestational age and duration of supplemental oxygen; TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations also correlated with length of time on the ventilator.CONCLUSION—These data indicate that tracheobronchial aspirate fluid cytokine concentrations may be used as a predictor of subsequent CLD and may help select a group of preterm infants at high risk of developing CLD for early treatment.     

Serratia marcescens lung abscess in a child with autoimmune neutropenia

Though Serratia marcescens is widely known to be the cause of serious infections in immuno-compromised hosts, a lung abscess caused by S. marcescens is very rare. A 5 year old boy who had previously been diagnosed with autoimmune neutropenia was admitted because of fever and cough. In spite of treatment with some antibiotics, he developed a lung abscess. Aspiration of the pleural fluid revealed that S. marcescens was the pathogen of the disease. In the present case, there were feasible risk factors for the development of Serratia lung abscess namely neutropenia, chronic gingivitis at the time, and treatment with cyclosporin A. There are no reported cases of autoimmune neutropenia which developed into a S. marcescens lung abscess in the literature as far as we can determine.     

Early prediction of chronic lung disease by tracheal aspirate cytology in ventilated newborns

We assessed the specificity of squamous metaplasia in tracheal aspirates of 69 ventilated newborns (gestational age 25–41 weeks) between days 3 and 7 of life for prediction of chronic lung disease (CLD). CLD was diagnosed when the patient was still requiring ventilation or supplementary oxygen at the postconceptional age of 36 weeks (or postnatal age of 28 days for babies born after 32 weeks gestation) and showed X-ray changes compatible with CLD. In the total population the presence of squamous metaplasia had a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 74% for the early diagnosis of CLD. The combination of squamous metaplasia and very low birth weight (VLBW) had a much higher specificity (94%), but a lower sensitivity (45%). Our results show that the presence of sqaumous metaplasia in VLBW babies during the 1st week of life predicts development of CLD with a specificity of 94% and may be helpful for entering patients into early treatment protocols or trials when a high risk population needs to be identified. As sensitivity of this approach is only 45%, further studies are needed to evaluate the predictive value of the combination of cytology with other markers in tracheal aspirate specimens. Conclusion The presence of squamous metaplasia in tracheal aspirates of VLBW babies between days 3 and 7 of life is significantly associated with the development of chronic lung disease. Simple microscopic evaluation of fresh tracheal aspirates enables us to identify patients at high risk of CLD at a very early stage. Received: 5 August 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 19 May 1998     

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte elastase in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants without respiratory distress syndrome or intrauterine infection and development of chronic lung disease

To elucidate the mechanism of the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) in infants without respiratory distress syndrome or intra-uterine infection, we serially measured the concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and granulocyte elastase α₁ proteinase inhibitor complex (E-α₁ PI) and elastase activity in the tracheobronchial aspirate of very low birth weight infants without respiratory distress syndrome or intra-uterine infection until day 28. IL-8 concentration and elastase activity between day 21 and 28 in infants who developed CLD later were significantly higher compared with those in infants who did not develop CLD. E-α₁ PI concentration between day 25 and 28 in infants who developed CLD later was significantly higher compared with those in infants who did not develop CLD. The area under the curve of the IL-8 and E-α₁ PI concentrations and elastase activity between day 1 and day 28 in infants with CLD was significantly higher than those in infants without CLD. These data suggest that the lung tissue injury caused by the enzymes from neutrophils accumulated and activated by IL-8 also play an important role in the development of this type of CLD.     

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte elastase α1 proteinase inhibitor complex in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease following respiratory distress syndrome

In order to elucidate the role of interleukin 8 (IL-8) on the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) in neonates following an episode of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), serial and simultaneous measurements of the concentration of IL-8 and granulocyte elastase α₁ proteinase inhibitor complex (E-α₁ PI) in the tracheobronchial aspirate of very low birthweight infants with RDS were conducted. The concentration of IL-8 and E-α₁ PI in infants with CLD was low in the first 48 h of life, but dramatically increased after 48 h. The concentration of IL-8 between 48 h of life and day 5 was significantly correlated to the fraction of inspired oxygen concentration (F₁o₂) within 48 h of age, but not to the mean airway pressure. Interleukin 8 seemed to stimulate neutrophils to release granulocyte elastase which, in turn, caused lung tissue injury, resulting in the development of CLD. It is suggested that high F₁o₂ is an important factor causing IL-8 production in the lung.     

Effect of hydrocortisone therapy on severe leaky lung syndrome in ventilated preterm infants

Background: The aim of this study was (i) to determine the incidence and risk factors of severe leaky lung syndrome (sLLS), persistent pulmonary edema characterized by massive tracheal secretions and resistance to surfactant therapy, in extremely low gestational age newborns requiring ventilatory support; and (ii) to evaluate the effects of hydrocortisone (HC) therapy for sLLS on tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF) volume and β2‐microglobulin levels in TAF. Methods: Infants born at <28 weeks gestation requiring ventilation beyond day of life (DOL) 7 were included. Daily TAF volume changes were assessed using a TAF scoring system. Levels of TAF β2‐microglobulin, an indicator of capillary leakage, were measured at DOL0, 7, before, and 4 days after starting HC therapy (started at 4 mg/kg/day; tapered for 1–3 weeks). Results: Of the 54 infants enrolled, 24 (44%) were diagnosed with sLLS. Lower gestational age, lower birthweight, and higher TAF β2‐microglobulin levels at DOL7 were independent risk factors for sLLS. Seventeen infants with sLLS received HC therapy starting at DOL17 (median), with subsequent decreases in TAF volume and β2‐microglobulin levels. Conclusions: The incidence of sLLS, as defined in this study, was 44% in extremely low gestational age newborns requiring ventilator support beyond a week. HC therapy effectively reduced TAF volume and β2‐microglobulin levels, suggesting suppression of increased permeability of pulmonary capillaries in infants with sLLS.     

The association between the microbes in the tracheobronchial aspirate fluid and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the association between microbes in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) and the srisk for severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) in premature infants.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, single-center study of preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, China, between January 2015 and December 2017. The microbes in the LRT were screened by using tracheobronchial aspirate fluid (TAF) culture.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five infants were included in the analysis. Among 155 infants, 41 were diagnosed with sBPD, and 114 were diagnosed without sBPD. There were significant differences between infants with and without sBPD in regard to birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), the duration of endotracheal ventilation and supplemental oxygen. The incidence of retinopathy (ROP) and sepsis was higher in the sBPD infants than in the infants without sBPD. There was a difference in the detection rate of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) between the two groups. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Klebsiella pneumoniae were mainly detected in TAF.ConclusionsThe LRT microbes were different between infants with and without sBPD, and GNB is more frequently detected in sBPD infants.     

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of lung abscesses in neonates and children

Lung abscesses in children aften respond to conservative treatment. This is unlikely in children less than 7 years of age and in these surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We repart a neonate and a 2.5 year old child successfully treated with percutaneous computed tomography guided aspiration of lung abscesses.     

Management of perianal abscess with hainosankyuto in neonates and young infants

Background: Perianal abscess (PA) is a common condition acquired in infancy, yet its treatment method remains controversial. We reviewed the outcome of neonates and young infants with PA who were treated with the traditional Japanese medicine, hainosankyuto (TJ‐122). Methods: Fifteen male infants with PA under the age of 3 months were reviewed. The median age of infants at disease onset was 33 days (range, 18–88 days) and the median bodyweight was 4.1 kg (range, 2.5–6.4 kg). TJ‐122 was administered at a dose of 0.20 g/kg/day (n= 13) or 0.25 g/kg/day (n= 2) orally in two or three divided doses before meals. Antibiotics were not used in any of the patients. Results: Of the 15 patients, 14 were cured and had no recurrence, with a median TJ‐122 administration of 28 days (range, 14–117 days). Eight patients were cured within 28 days (53%) and 12 were cured within 60 days (80%). One patient, who was later diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, showed incomplete healing of PA with intermittent pus discharge and recurrence. The patient was cured by 1 year of age following repeated administration of TJ‐122 and juzentaihoto (TJ‐48). Conclusion: Medical management with TJ‐122 was effective in most neonates and young infants with PA. It appears prudent to manage these patients with hainosankyuto before resorting to surgical intervention.     

快速胸腹挤压肺功能测定技术临床价值探讨

目的探讨新型肺功能测定技术——快速胸腹挤压法(RTC)在婴幼儿中的临床应用价值。方法选择102例2～24月龄的呼吸系统疾病患儿。入选患儿均行潮气呼吸肺功能和RTC肺功能测定,其中23例发作期哮喘患儿在支气管舒张试验后再行上述两项肺功能测定。比较不同呼吸系统疾病患儿之间,以及发作期哮喘患儿在支气管舒张试验前后,两项肺功能指标的改变及相关性。结果 RTC肺功能指标——功能残气量位的最大呼气流速(VmaxFRC)在不同呼吸系统疾病患儿之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),其改变情况与潮气呼吸肺功能25%潮气量位的流速(TEF25)类似。与哮喘缓解期患儿比较,哮喘发作期患儿的VmaxFRC降低幅度远高于潮气肺功能指标,如VmaxFRC与主要潮气肺功能指标TEF25、达峰时间比具有较好的相关性(r=0.526、0.489,P均<0.01)。发作期哮喘患儿经支气管舒张试验后,VmaxFRC较其基础值显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);VmaxFRC改善率亦显著高于潮气呼吸肺功能指标(P<0.05);而潮气呼吸肺功能指标在支气管舒张试验前后的差异无统计学意义。结论 RTC肺功能指标VmaxFRC是反映不同呼吸系统疾病婴幼儿肺功能受损的敏感指标,与潮气呼吸肺功能主要指标之间具有良好的相关性,并在支气管舒张试验方面表现出一定的优越性。     

The effect of aerosolized furosemide in infants with chronic lung disease

To investigate whether aerosolized furosemide would improve pulmonary function in premature infants with chronic lung disease, we enrolled eight preterm ventilator-dependent infants in a cross-over, double-blind. placebo-controlled trial. Either aerosolized furosemide (2mg/kg) or placebo (0.9% saline) was administered, and serial pulmonary function tests were performed before and at 1 and 2h after each inhalation. After furosemide inhalation, static respiratory compliance increased significantly by 24.3% and 23.2% as percentage change from the baseline value at 1 and 2h ( p = 0.014 and 0.022, respectively). Also, tidal volume increased significantly by 33.8% and 28.7% at 1 and 2h, respectively ( p = 0.004 and 0.009). In contrast, no changes were observed in them after placebo inhalation. Total respiratory resistance was unchanged after both furosemide and placebo inhalation. There were no differences in urine volume in two groups. These data suggested that aerosolized furosemide improved pulmonary function in infants with chronic lung disease without excessive diuresis.     

A case of an iliopsoas abscess in a neonate

The present study describes a male neonate with an iliopsoas abscess. He was born by Caesarean section at 35 weeks and 3 days gestation. At 24-days-old he had a fever and localized swelling of the groin to the femur. By ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT), the swelling was diagnosed as iliopsoas abscess. We treated him through percutaneous needle drainage and antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in the culture of the fluid from the abscess and the urine. US and CT were useful for the diagnosis and provided guidance for the needle puncture and follow-up of the iliopsoas abscess.     

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte elastase α1 proteinase inhibitor complex in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease following intra-uterine infection

In order to elucidate the role of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) of neonates with intra-uterine infection, serial and simultaneous measurements of the concentration of IL-8 and granulocyte elastase α₁ proteinase inhibitor complex (E-α₁PI) in the tracheobronchial aspirate of low birth weight infants were conducted. Infants with a high serum IgM level at birth, and who subsequently developed CLD, showed significantly high concentrations of IL-8 and E-α₁PI in the first 48 h. It seemed that IL-8 stimulated neutrophils to release neutrophil enzymes which, in turn, caused the lung tissue injury, resulting in the development of CLD following intra-uterine infection.