Transient dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial pneumonia

We experienced a case of transient dermatomyositis with interstitial pneumonia, which was diagnosed on the basis of clinical manifestation and histology. The patient's symptoms, including both dermatomyositis and interstitial pneumonia, improved without pharmacological treatment.     

Progressive interstitial pneumonia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome: Implication of superoxide hyperproduction by neutrophils

Abstract Interstitial pneumonia and aseptic neutrophilic infiltration in the lung are rare pulmonary manifestations of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We report a patient with progressive interstitial pneumonia associated with MDS. Histological examination of the lung revealed infiltration of atypical haematopoietic cells associated with MDS and diffuse alveolitis with honeycombing. Neutrophils obtained from the patient showed superoxide hyperproduction after stimulation with phagocytosis and phorbol myristate acetate, which might be attributed to the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumonia.     

Prognostic factors in rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia

Background and objective: The aim of the present study was to examine clinical and other features that might allow prognostic distinctions between histological patterns in presentations with rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPIP), and to assess prognostic factors for survival. Methods: Patients with RPIP among 425 consecutive patients with diffuse lung disease, who underwent surgical lung biopsy, were studied retrospectively. The discriminatory value of clinical and investigative features for identifying disease with a better outcome was evaluated. An a priori comparison was made between diffuse alveolar damage (DAD)/usual interstitial pneumonia with DAD pattern (Group A), and organizing pneumonia/non‐specific interstitial pneumonia pattern (Group B). Results: Twenty‐eight patients (6.6%) fulfilled the criteria for RPIP. The diagnosis was Group A disease in 15 (DAD in 10, usual interstitial pneumonia with DAD in 5), and Group B disease in 13 (organizing pneumonia in 8, non‐specific interstitial pneumonia in 5). There were no significant differences in initial findings between the groups. Prognosis was significantly better for Group B patients than for Group A patients (P = 0.021). Neither BAL nor parenchymal high‐resolution CT score was indicative of therapeutic responsiveness or outcome. Distinction between Group A and Group B on the basis of disease pattern was the only significant determinant of prognosis. Conclusions: RPIP included varied histological patterns with different outcomes, and in many cases these could not be predicted using baseline clinical data. Histology was the only significant predictor of ultimate prognosis.     

Favorable outcome with hemoperfusion of polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column for rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia associated with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis: report of three cases

Abstract

We present 3 cases of rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPIP) associated with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (C-ADM) that were treated with two courses of direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (PMX-DHP). Despite initial treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, pulsed cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine, the lung disease and hypoxemia deteriorated in all the patients. After PMX-DHP treatment, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio and serum LDH and KL-6 were improved, the abnormal shadows in chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans gradually decreased, and, finally, all patients survived. These findings indicate that PMX-DHP treatment could be effective in the management of RPIP in patients with C-ADM in combination with conventional therapy.     

Prognostic significance of fibroblastic foci in usual interstitial pneumonia and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia

Background and objective: Fibroblastic foci (FF) composed of an accumulation of fibroblasts or myofibroblasts may be related to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis leading to respiratory insufficiency. Several studies have shown that the number of FF is a significant prognostic factor in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the extent of FF is related to impairment of respiratory function and prognosis in patients with biopsy‐proven fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, including UIP and fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (fNSIP). Methods: Fifty patients with histologically confirmed interstitial pneumonia including UIP or fNSIP were investigated, and correlations between FF and pulmonary function were evaluated. FF area was calculated as the proportion of total area (%FF) and the number of FF (FF/cm²) in the whole histological specimen from each patient. Results: The UIP group showed significantly higher %FF and FF/cm² than the fNSIP group. When UIP and fNSIP patients were analysed together, the group of patients who had died (death group) revealed significantly higher %FF and FF/cm² compared with the group of survivors, and the impairment of vital capacity and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide was correlated with %FF and FF/cm². Conclusions: FF correlated with impaired pulmonary function and may be a useful parameter to predict prognosis in patients with UIP and fNSIP.     

Idiopathic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia

Non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is an interstitial lung disease that may be idiopathic or secondary to connective tissue disease, toxins or numerous other causes. Idiopathic NSIP is a rare diagnosis and requires exclusion of these other possible causes. Patients typically present in mid‐adulthood with dyspnoea, cough and often constitutional symptoms including fever and fatigue. The disease has a female predominance, and more than 50% of patients have never smoked. Physical exam features mild hypoxaemia and inspiratory rales. Pulmonary function tests demonstrate restriction and a low diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. High‐resolution computed tomography abnormalities include predominantly lower lobe subpleural reticular changes, traction bronchiectasis and ground‐glass opacities; honeycombing is rarely seen. An evaluation of the underlying pathology is necessary for a firm diagnosis. Histologically, alveolar and interstitial mononuclear cell inflammation and fibrosis are seen in a temporally uniform pattern with preserved underlying alveolar architecture. NSIP must be differentiated from other parenchymal lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A thorough exposure history and assessment for underlying connective tissue diseases are highly important, as positive findings in these categories would likely denote a case of secondary NSIP. A multi‐disciplinary discussion that includes pulmonologist(s), radiologist(s) and pathologist(s) assists in reaching a consensus diagnosis and improves diagnostic accuracy. Treatment of idiopathic NSIP, although not well proven, is generally instituted in the form of immunosuppression. Prognosis is favourable compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, although the diagnosis still carries an attributable mortality. Herein we will summarize the clinical characteristics and management of idiopathic NSIP.     

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia

Traditionally, a subset of patients diagnosed as having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis had positive results on cellular biopsies (prominent lymphoplasmacytic inflammation), bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis, a clinical response to steroids, and a better long-term prognosis. On review of the lung histopathology, the lesion was characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. This entity is now recognized as a distinct entity among idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.     

特发性非特异性间质性肺炎与普通型间质性炎疾病特征和预后的比较分析

目的 与普通型间质性肺炎(usual interstitial pneumonia,UIP)进行比较分析,探讨特发性非特异性间质性肺炎(idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia,INSIP)的疾病特征和预后以及与UIP的鉴别诊断.方法 发对经电视胸腔镜或小切口开胸肺活检诊断的21例INSIP患者和18例UIP患者的临床-影像-病理学资料及疗效、预后进行比较分析.结果 INSIP多见于40～50女性,临床表现无特异性,主要表现为活动后气促、咳嗽、咯痰、双下肺可有或无吸气相爆裂音;高分辨率CT(HRCT)表现为双肺弥漫分布的磨玻璃样淡斑片状和不规则网织状阴影,部分可有蜂窝肺.INSIP的病理特征为病变进展相对一致,按病理表现可分为细胞型、纤维化型和混合型.与UIP相比,纤维母细胞灶、肌硬化、镜下蜂窝肺和肺泡结构改建的检出率在INSIP和UIP分别是19.05%和100%(P<0.001),19.05%和88.89%(P<0.05),23.81%和94.44%(P<0.01),33.33%和100%(P<0.01).两者对糖皮质激素的反应率分别为76.19%和38.89%(P<0.01),各型INSIP的预后均明显好于UIP.结论 经 INSIP的一般临床表现差异不明显,HRCT对疑难病例的鉴别诊断有帮助,明确诊断依赖肺活检病理诊断;纤维母细胞灶、伴胶原沉积的瘢痕化和蜂窝变组成不同时相的病变共同构成诊断UIP的形态特征,也是与INSIP的鉴别要点.     

非特异性间质性肺炎八例临床病理分析

目的：探讨非特异性间质性肺炎（NSIP）的病理和临床特点，方法：对8例经电视胸腔镜或小切口开胸肺活检诊断为NSIP的病例进行光镜观察和临床病理资料回顾性分析。结果：NSIP多见于女性（男：女＝1：3，2／6），平均年龄48岁，临床表现为渐进性呼吸困难，咳嗽，咳痰，双下肺闻及爆裂音，肺功能主要为限制性通气障碍，高分辨CT表现为双下肺野为主的网状，片状磨玻璃样改变，病理特征为均一的间质炎症和纤维化，4例有闭塞性细支气管炎伴机化性肺炎样改变，3例有纤维母细胞灶，1例有窝蜂肺，组织学类型，混合型6例，纤维化型2例，对皮质激素反应：显效组与有效组各4例，与纤维化型相比，大部分混合型对皮质激素有较好的反应，结论：NSIP的组织学类型与疗效有密切的关系，纤维化性的NSIP与普通型间质性肺炎在病理组织学上不易鉴别，诊断需密切联系临床。     

Early assessment of rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis

Amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) is occasionally complicated by rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (RPIP), and in such cases, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is usually diagnosed at autopsy. Here, we present three patients with RPIP accompanied by ADM in whom lung disease was assessed at an early stage. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) carried out before the onset of dyspnoea revealed uniformly subpleural reticular opacity with faint ground-glass attenuation. At that stage, surgical lung biopsies from two patients showed histological patterns typical of cellular nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Despite pulse methylprednisolone and subsequent high-dose oral administration of prednisolone, lung disease progressed in all patients, with extensive areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation observed in HRCT scans. DAD was confirmed histologically in one case. Additional administration of cyclosporine, pulse cyclophosphamide or high-dose intravenous administration of immunoglobulin rescued all patients. Our data suggest that ADM-associated interstitial pneumonia takes an aggressive course even when the radiological and histological features are consistent with NSIP. Aggressive combination therapy with high-dose steroids and immunosuppressive agents is required as early as possible for patients with this life-threatening disorder.     

Soluble CD206 levels correlate with disease deterioration and predict prognosis of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis related interstitial lung disease

Introduction

The prognosis of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis/clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD) is poor. This study was to evaluate the effect of serum soluble CD206 (sCD206), a biomarker of macrophage activation, on predicting the interstitial lung disease (ILD) deterioration and prognosis for MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD.

Methods

Forty-one patients diagnosed with MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD were retrospectively included. The clinical data were analyzed. Serum sCD206 levels were measured in 41 patients and 30 healthy controls. The relation between sCD206 levels and ILD deterioration was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the optimal cut-off value of sCD206 for predicting outcome. The association between sCD206 and survival was examined.

Results

The median serum sCD206 level in patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (464.1 ng/mL vs. 349.1 ng/mL, P = 0.002). In DM/CADM patients, the sCD206 level was significantly higher in patients with acute/subacute interstitial lung disease (AILD/SILD) than those with chronic interstitial lung disease (CILD) (539.2 ng/mL vs. 309.4 ng/mL, P = 0.005). The AUC of sCD206 was 0.885 for predicting mortality (95% CI 0.779–0.990). Patients were divided into two groups: sCD206 high level group (≥400 ng/mL) and sCD206 low level group (<400 ng/mL). Patients with sCD206 high level had significantly decreased survival rate than those with low level (25% vs. 88%, P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio of sCD206 for mortality was 1.003 (adjusted for age and gender, P < 0.001), with sCD206 high level associated with higher death risk (HR 4.857, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Serum sCD206 might be a potential predictor of ILD deterioration and prognosis for Chinese patients with MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD.     

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia: comparison of the clinicopathologic features and prognosis

Background

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has recently been proposed as a histologic type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), but its broad spectrum of clinicopathologic findings and variable prognosis are poorly understood. It is particularly unclear how NSIP and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) are related. The present study investigated the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of NSIP, and its differential diagnosis from UIP.

Methods

The clinicopathologic findings and prognosis in 21 NSIP and 18 UIP patients who underwent surgical or video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy were reviewed.

Results

NSIP was more frequent in women and showed nonspecific clinical manifestations. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) demonstrated ground-glass, net-like, and patchy attenuation in both lungs. Semiquantitative HRCT showed a median fibrosis score of 3 (range, 0 to 7) in NSIP patients and 5 (range, 2 to 7) in UIP patients (P<0.01). On histopathologic examination, NSIP cases were heterogeneous and the findings could be categorized into cellular and fibrosing patterns. The mean age of the NSIP and UIP patients was 48 and 60 years, respectively. The frequencies of fibroblast foci, myogelosis, honeycomb lesions, and pulmonary structural destruction in NSIP and UIP patients were 16.7% and 100% (P<0.001), 22.2% and 85.7% (P<0.05), 16.7% and 92.9% (P<0.001), and 27.8% and 100% (P<0.05), respectively. The responses to glucocorticoid treatment and the prognosis were significantly greater in NSIP than those in UIP.

Conclusions

NSIP was difficult to be differentiated from UIP by general clinical manifestations, but HRCT can be helpful for this purpose. Definitive diagnosis depends on the results of surgical lung biopsy.     

A case of completely resolved pneumatocoeles in desquamative interstitial pneumonia

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), also known as alveolar macrophage pneumonia (AMP), represents a subset of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that responds better to steroids and has a more favourable prognosis than usual interstitial pneumonia. Recently, we encountered a case of DIP with the formation of multiple pulmonary cysts during corticosteroid maintenance treatment. After the introduction of cyclophosphamide, the cysts gradually disappeared. This complete resolution is believed to have resulted from the clearance of check-valve-like bronchiolar obstructions that may be another interesting terminal airway pathology in DIP.     

呼吸性细支气管炎伴间质性肺病和脱屑性间质性肺炎的比较分析

目的　探讨呼吸性细支气管炎伴间质性肺病 (RBILD)的临床病理特点以及与脱屑性间质性肺炎 (DIP)的关系。方法　回顾性分析 1例经电视胸腔镜肺活检诊断为RBILD患者的临床表现、影像学和组织病理学特点、糖皮质激素治疗的效果和随访结果 ,并与 1例病理学确诊的DIP患者进行比较。结果　 2例患者均为 5 7岁男性 ,吸烟史分别为 2 4、30年。临床表现为咳嗽、咯痰、气促 ,双下肺闻及veclro音 ;肺功能检查显示RBILD患者为混合型通气功能障碍 ,DIP患者为限制性轻度通气功能障碍。胸部X线片显示 2例患者双肺均有散在斑点状、斑片状密度不均阴影 ;高分辨率CT表现为两肺散在分布的间质增厚影 ,部分呈网格状改变 ,以外周和下肺为主 ,DIP患者有磨玻璃影。病理特征 :RBILD表现为在呼吸性细支气管及周围气腔内有大量均一的含色素的巨噬细胞聚集 ,肺间质有轻度的纤维组织增生和慢性炎症 ;DIP的上述病变更明显和弥漫。 2例患者均对糖皮质激素治疗反应良好 ,经随访 3年余 ,患者病情稳定无复发。结论　RBILD和DIP在临床表现上不易区分 ,而开胸肺活检组织病理学检查可区分和明确诊断 ,两者有相似之处 ,可能为同一疾病实体。     

Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase promotes survival in cell lines after doxorubicin treatment

Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) has been postulated as one possible mechanism of protection from oxidative damage and free radicals. Doxorubicin treatment induces oxygen free radicals, leading to cytotoxicity and myelosuppression. The present study was performed to determine whether over-expression of MnSOD may play a role in resistance to doxorubicin. Retroviral constructs having the human MNSOD gene in the sense orientation and the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (NEOR) as a selectable marker were transduced into the human melanoma cell line A375 and the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937. Stably transduced A375 and U937 cells were subjected to 10-100 ng/ml doxorubicin for 24 h and compared with doxorubicin-treated A375 and U937 cells transduced with vector only. A colony forming assay was used to determine cell viability in semi-solid medium. Results demonstrated that wild-type A375 and U937 cells display low levels of endogenous MnSOD mRNA and protein, and are sensitive to doxorubicin treatment. In contrast, A375 and U937 cells transduced with the MNSOD gene consistently demonstrate increased colony formation in the presence of increasing concentrations of doxorubicin. MnSOD-transduced A375 and U937 cells also demonstrate increased MnSOD mRNA and protein levels when compared with wild type or those cells transduced with vector only. These results indicate that overexpression of MnSOD can enhance resistance to doxorubicin treatment.     

The effects of L-carnitine treatment on left ventricular function and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy

We studied the effects of L-carnitine on left ventricular systolic function and the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in 51 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. They all previously were under the treatment of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, digitalis and diuretics. Patients were randomized into two groups. In group I (n=31), 2 g/day L-carnitine was added to therapy. L-Carnitine was not given to the other 20 patients (Group II). In group I (mean age 64.3+/-7.8 years), 27 of the patients were men, and four were women. In group II (mean age 66.2+/-8.7 years), 17 of the patients were men, and three were women. Twenty age-matched healthy subjects (mean age: 60.1+/-5.3 years) constituted the control group. In each group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography and red cell superoxide dismutase activity by spectrophotometric method were measured initially and after 1 month of randomisation. Compared with normal healthy subjects (n=20), patients (n=51) had significantly higher red cell SOD activity (5633+/-1225 vs. 3202+/-373 U/g Hb, P<0.001). At the end of 1 month of L-carnitine therapy, red cell SOD activity showed an increase in group I (5918+/-1448 to 7218+/-1917 U/g Hb, P<0.05). In group II, red cell SOD activity showed no significant change after 1 month of randomisation (5190+/-545 to 5234+/-487 U/g Hb, P=0. 256). One month after randomisation there was a significant increase in LVEF in both groups I and II (37.8-42.3%, P<0.001 in group I; 41. 5-43.8%, P<0.001 in group II). The improvement in LVEF was more significant in the L-carnitine group (4.5% vs. 2.3%, P<0.01). We conclude that, as a sign of increased free radical production, superoxide dismutase activity was further increased in patients with L-carnitine treatment. L-Carnitine treatment in combination with other traditional pharmacological therapy might have an additive effect for the improvement of left ventricular function in ischemic cardiomyopathy.