呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎患儿血和痰中白三烯测定及临床意义

目的 探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)毛细支气管炎(毛支炎)患儿血、痰中白三烯C4(leukotriene C4,LTC4)水平的变化及临床意义.方法轻-中度毛支炎组22例,重度毛支炎组11例,另选择无喘息非RSV感染性肺炎患儿12例作为对照(肺炎组).采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验测定血清和痰中LTC4水平,并进行对比分析.结果急性期轻-中度毛支炎组、重度毛支炎组、肺炎组血清LTC4水平分别为(76.96±28.19)pg/ml、(103.53±16.85)pg/ml、(18.14±7.49)pg/ml;痰中LTC4水平分别为(31.83±19.14)pg/ml、(67.11±15.11)pg/ml、(6.81±2.90)pg/ml;恢复期血清LTC4水平分别为(36.04±16.38)pg/ml、(52.27±17.03)pg/ml、(18.14±7.49)pg/ml,3组间差异有统计学意义(F=48.09,P＜0.001;F=15.50,P＜0.001;F=44.43,P＜0.001).治疗后轻-中度和重度毛支炎组血清LTC4水平明显降低,但仍高于肺炎组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论RSV毛支炎患儿血和痰中LTC4水平明显增高,并与病情的轻重相关.     

Persistent increase in plasma and urinary leukotrienes after acute asthma.

Leukotrienes may mediate bronchoconstriction in asthma. Cysteinyl leukotriene production rises in vivo after allergen challenge, but few reports describe leukotriene concentrations in clinical asthma or in children. Using high performance liquid chromatography/radioimmunoassay, plasma and urinary leukotrienes in asthmatic children (aged 5-10 years) were measured during an acute exacerbation (peak expiratory flow (PEF) < 65%, n = 10) and one month later (PEF 74-169%, n = 9), and in non-atopic normal children (aged 1.3-13.2 years). In the asthmatics, geometric mean (95% confidence interval) plasma leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was 746 pg/ml (398 to 1403) acutely and 1026 pg/ml (662 to 1593) in remission, compared with 369 pg/ml (167 to 728) in the normal children (n = 14). Plasma cysteinyl leukotrienes were low or undetectable, but urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) was higher in the asthmatics during an acute episode (210 pmol/mmol creatinine, 101 to 454) and at follow up (179 pmol/mmol, 110 to 293), compared with the normal children (98 pmol/mmol, 81 to 118, n = 41). This persistent increase in plasma LTB4 and urinary LTE4 concentrations one month after a severe asthmatic episode suggests leukotriene production is related to chronic inflammation rather than to acute bronchoconstriction.     

Persistent increase in plasma and urinary leukotrienes after acute asthma

Leukotrienes may mediate bronchoconstriction in asthma. Cysteinyl leukotriene production rises in vivo after allergen challenge, but few reports describe leukotriene concentrations in clinical asthma or in children. Using high performance liquid chromatography/radioimmunoassay, plasma and urinary leukotrienes in asthmatic children (aged 5-10 years) were measured during an acute exacerbation (peak expiratory flow (PEF) < 65%, n = 10) and one month later (PEF 74-169%, n = 9), and in non-atopic normal children (aged 1.3-13.2 years). In the asthmatics, geometric mean (95% confidence interval) plasma leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was 746 pg/ml (398 to 1403) acutely and 1026 pg/ml (662 to 1593) in remission, compared with 369 pg/ml (167 to 728) in the normal children (n = 14). Plasma cysteinyl leukotrienes were low or undetectable, but urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) was higher in the asthmatics during an acute episode (210 pmol/mmol creatinine, 101 to 454) and at follow up (179 pmol/mmol, 110 to 293), compared with the normal children (98 pmol/mmol, 81 to 118, n = 41). This persistent increase in plasma LTB4 and urinary LTE4 concentrations one month after a severe asthmatic episode suggests leukotriene production is related to chronic inflammation rather than to acute bronchoconstriction.     

Increased levels of BAL cysteinyl leukotrienesinacute [corrected] RSV bronchiolitis

BACKGROUND: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs), including LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, are pivotal mediators in the pathophysiology of asthma. AIM: To determine whether CysLT levels are increased in the lower airways of children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, as they are in asthmatic children, and to investigate a possible heterogeneity in CysLT levels in children with RSV bronchiolitis. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were obtained from children with acute RSV bronchiolitis (n = 20), from children with acute asthma who had no identifiable virus infection (n = 16) and from control subjects (n = 14). BAL cell counts and differentials were determined, and the concentrations of CysLTs were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: CysLT levels in the asthma (70.6 +/- 52.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and bronchiolitis groups (21.9 +/- 23.3 pg/ml, p < 0.05) were significantly higher than in the control group (8.7 +/- 5.2 pg/ml). Among bronchiolitis subjects, the eosinophil-positive subgroup (n = 6) showed significantly higher CysLT levels (49.0 +/- 26.7 pg/ml, p = 0.001) than the control group, but this was not observed in the eosinophil-negative subgroup (n = 14, 10.3 +/- 6.3 pg/ml, p = 0.47). CONCLUSION: CysLT levels are increased in the lower airways during RSV bronchiolitis, although their intensities are lower than those in acute asthma. Among bronchiolitis subjects, high CysLT producers could be distinguished from low CysLT producers by the presence of eosinophilia in BAL fluids, suggesting a pathophysiological heterogeneity in RSV bronchiolitis.     

The release of leukotrienes in the respiratory tract during infection with respiratory syncytial virus: role in obstructive airway disease

Samples of nasopharyngeal secretions from a group of 73 infants with bronchiolitis or upper respiratory illness alone during infection with respiratory syncytial virus were analyzed for leukotriene C4 (LTC4) content using a reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography assay with confirmation by radioimmunoassay. Titers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific IgE in nasopharyngeal secretion (NPS) specimens were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest concentrations of LTC4 were found in the first 3 to 8 days after the onset of illness, and LTC4 was detectable in progressively lower concentrations in samples obtained up to 28 days after the onset of illness. LTC4 was detected in samples of NPS obtained in the acute phase of illness from 67% of infants with bronchiolitis due to RSV and in 33% of samples of NPS obtained during the same interval from infants with upper respiratory illness alone (p less than 0.025). Concentrations of LTC4 in children with bronchiolitis were 5-fold higher (1271 pg/ml) than the mean concentration of LTC4 in children with upper respiratory illness (224 pg/ml, p less than 0.02). LTC4 was detected in 83% of the children developing an RSV-IgE response and in 24% of subjects not developing an RSV-IgE response (p less than 0.001). Quantities of LTC4 measured in NPS were directly correlated with the magnitude of the RSV-IgE response in secretions (r = 0.33, p less than 0.02). These studies lend support to previous investigations suggesting that severe bronchiolitis due to RSV results from IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to viral antigens, with release of chemical mediators of airway obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bronchiolitis in infants

Bronchiolitis is a common cause of wheezing among infants. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common infectious agent to cause bronchiolitis, and RSV infection accounts for more than 125,000 hospitalizations per year in the United States. Beyond supportive measures, the care of infants with bronchiolitis remains controversial. Practitioners continue to treat infants with a variety of pharmacologic agents, despite limited evidence of their efficacy. Investigators continue to search for the safest and most cost-effective methods to treat infants with bronchiolitis, not only to overcome obstructive symptoms during the acute illness, but also to prevent recurrent symptoms of airway obstruction that occur in some children for years after their initial episode of bronchiolitis. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of RSV infection and of virus-host interactions may one day lead to the development of agents that alter the initial inflammatory response and strategies that help prevent recurrent episodes of wheezing and the development of asthma after acute bronchiolitis.     

过敏性紫癜患儿血清白三烯B_4白介素-5的测定及其临床意义

目的：观察过敏性紫癜患儿血清白介素-5(IL-5)和白三烯B4(LTB4)在不同发病阶段的浓度变化,以探讨IL-5和LTB4在过敏性紫癜发病机制中的作用。方法：采集31例过敏性紫癜患儿急性期和恢复早期血清,以及27例健康儿童血清,应用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清中IL-5,LTB4和C反应蛋白(CRP)含量。结果：过敏性紫癜患儿的急性期血清IL-5,LTB4和CRP含量明显高于恢复早期(P<0.01),恢复早期血清IL-5,LTB4和CRP含量又显著高于正常组儿童(P<0.01)。IL-5和LTB4变化与CRP呈正相关。结论：过敏性紫癜患儿的急性期血清IL-5和LTB含量升高,恢复早期有所下降,提示IL-5和LTB参与了过敏性紫癜的发病过程。     

Concentrations of LTB4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 in bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus

Fifty-five infants with bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus were evaluated for the presence of leukotriene B₄, C₄, D₄ and E₄ in nasopharyngeal secretions. An attempt was made to correlate concentrations of leukotrienes to arterial oxygen tension. Forty participants received conventional therapy consisting primarily of aerosolized albuterol and occasional aminophylline therapy. The other 15 individuals received ribavirin therapy in addition to conventional therapy, and leukotriene concentrations were compared among individuals in these groups. RSV infection was documented by standard methods, and leukotrienes were measured by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The leukotriene detected most commonly was LTC₄ (up to 83% of subjects); LTD₄ and LTB₄ were present in approximately 30% of individuals. The mean partial pressure of oxygen was found to be lower in those individuals with detectable LTB₄ than in those without detectable LTB₄ (p < 0.025), and an overall inverse correlation of LTB₄ concentrations with initial pO₂ values was observed (r = 0.318, p < 0.05). The presence and quantity of other leukotrienes did not correlate with the severity of illness. During the first week of illness, the concentration of leukotrienes declined sharply in ribavirin recipients. Individuals receiving conventional therapy during the same time interval exhibited stable or increasing leukotriene concentrations. These observations suggest that LTB₄ may be important in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, and that ribavirin therapy may inhibit leukotriene release in the respiratory tract.     

孟鲁司特钠对呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎的治疗作用

病毒是导致婴幼儿呼吸道感染最主要的病原体,其中呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)占50%.RSV感染后呼吸道内半胱氨酰白三烯(CysLTs)除在急性期明显增高外,在急性期1个月内仍可维持在较高水平.呼吸道内CysLTs的持续高水平与患儿反复咳嗽、喘息,持续肺功能异常及哮喘发病率的增高密切相关.孟鲁司特钠为CysLTs特异性受体阻滞剂,可通过阻断CysLTs与其1型受体结合而发挥特异性抗炎作用.对于首次感染RSV的重症毛细支气管炎患儿,在急性期及4周内,每晚口服孟鲁司特钠4 mg,可有效改善急性期临床症状,防止肺功能下降,减轻持续性呼吸道高反应性,降低再次呼吸道RSV感染及反复咳嗽、喘息的发生率.     

Sputum tumour necrosis factor-alpha and leukotriene concentrations in cystic fibrosis

It is postulated that a vigorous host inflammatory response in the cystic fibrosis lung contributes to lung injury. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play a part in that process and in the generation of leukotrienes. Therefore, the relationships between sputum TNF-alpha, leukotriene concentration, and lung function abnormalities in 16 children with cystic fibrosis were investigated. Each subject provided sputum samples and performed spirometry. TNF-alpha was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; individual leukotrienes were separated using high performance liquid chromatography and quantified by radioimmunoassay. The geometric mean concentration of TNF-alpha was 129.7 pg/ml and 95% confidence interval 48.2 to 348.3. Mean (SEM) leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was 97.8 (22.9) pmol/g and total cysteinyl leukotrienes were 60.9 (14.8) pmol/g. Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of the group was 53 (15)% of predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 65 (14)% of predicted. There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha and both LTB4 and the total cysteinyl leukotriene sputum content. An inverse relationship existed between TNF-alpha and FEV1 and FVC. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between sputum LTB4 and FEV1 and FVC. These results suggest that TNF-alpha and the leukotrienes may participate in the airways inflammation and airflow obstruction observed in cystic fibrosis subjects and support the hypothesis that TNF-alpha upregulates the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in vivo.     

Neonatal cerebral venous thrombosis

It is postulated that a vigorous host inflammatory response in the cystic fibrosis lung contributes to lung injury. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play a part in that process and in the generation of leukotrienes. Therefore, the relationships between sputum TNF-alpha, leukotriene concentration, and lung function abnormalities in 16 children with cystic fibrosis were investigated. Each subject provided sputum samples and performed spirometry. TNF-alpha was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; individual leukotrienes were separated using high performance liquid chromatography and quantified by radioimmunoassay. The geometric mean concentration of TNF-alpha was 129.7 pg/ml and 95% confidence interval 48.2 to 348.3. Mean (SEM) leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was 97.8 (22.9) pmol/g and total cysteinyl leukotrienes were 60.9 (14.8) pmol/g. Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of the group was 53 (15)% of predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 65 (14)% of predicted. There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha and both LTB4 and the total cysteinyl leukotriene sputum content. An inverse relationship existed between TNF-alpha and FEV1 and FVC. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between sputum LTB4 and FEV1 and FVC. These results suggest that TNF-alpha and the leukotrienes may participate in the airways inflammation and airflow obstruction observed in cystic fibrosis subjects and support the hypothesis that TNF-alpha upregulates the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in vivo.     

Urine leukotriene E4 and eosinophil cationic protein in nasopharyngeal aspiration from young wheezy children

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a risk factor for the development of asthma. It is very hard to distinguish bronchiolitis with respiratory virus infection from allergic asthma at first wheezing attack in early childhood. To distinguish wheezing children with RSV bronchiolitis from asthmatic children, we measured leukotriene E(4)(LTE(4)) in urine and ECP in nasopharyngeal aspiration (NPA) at first day of admission with wheezing attack. Thirty-two non-atopic children younger than the age of 3 yr with RSV induced bronchiolitis, 35 atopic asthmatic children with/without respiratory viral infection, and 23 children who exhibited no evidence of atopy, asthma, or virus infections as controls were selected in this study. We measured urinary LTE(4) and ECP level in NPA from subjects. Urinary LTE(4) concentrations in children with asthma were significantly higher than urinary LTE(4) in bronchiolitis and in controls (240.8 +/- 129.8 vs. 162.8 +/- 73.9 vs. 85.1 +/- 31.6 pg/ml). Children with RSV infection demonstrated higher urinary LTE(4) levels compared to children without RSV infection among asthmatic children. ECP in NPA was significantly correlated with urinary LTE(4) (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) in children entered this study who had detectable levels for both LTE(4) and ECP. In summary, Urinary LTE(4) concentrations may be suggested to useful mediators for differential diagnosis of wheezy diseases in early childhood. RSV infection also is associated with synergizing LT biosynthesis and this study demonstrated ECP in NPA was significantly correlated with urinary LTE(4) and may suggest that cysteinyl leukotriene initiate the production of ECP in early childhood, which could contribute to the development of wheeze.     

The role of respiratory syncytial virus in acute bronchiolitis in small children in northern Japan

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays an important role in acute bronchiolitis, which is life threatening in some infants. We investigated the epidemiology of RSV acute bronchiolitis in children less than 3 years old in northern Japan. From April 1991 to March 1993, 162 infants with acute bronchiolitis were hospitalized in our pediatric wards. The diagnosis of RSV acute bronchiolitis was based on the typical clinical manifestations and the presence of RSV antigen in their nasopharyngeal specimens or the rise of the RSV antibody titer. 124 out of 162 patients (76.5%) were diagnosed as having RSV acute bronchiolitis. 43.5% of patients with RSV acute bronchiolitis were 6 months old or less. The epidemic of RSV acute bronchiolitis commenced in October, peaked in December and ended in summer. RSV is quite prevalent in infants with acute bronchiolitis in northern Japan.     

Eosinophil degranulation in the respiratory tract during naturally acquired respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a cytotoxic protein contained in the granules of eosinophils, has been suggested as having an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. To determine whether ECP plays a similar role in bronchiolitis, we tested samples of nasopharyngeal secretions, obtained from a group of 47 children with various forms of illness related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and from 26 children with non-RSV upper respiratory tract illness or bacterial pneumonia, for the presence of ECP by means of a double-antibody radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of ECP in children with RSV bronchiolitis were significantly higher (166.8 ng/ml) than the mean concentration of ECP in both groups of children with RSV upper respiratory tract illness (43.5 ng/ml, p less than 0.002) and RSV lower respiratory tract disease without wheezing (29.1 ng/ml; p less than 0.0002). Children with non-RSV upper respiratory tract illness or bacterial pneumonia had levels of ECP in nasopharyngeal secretions similar to those of children with RSV upper respiratory tract illness or RSV pneumonia. High ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions (greater than 50 ng/ml) were predictive of the development of bronchiolitis at the time of RSV infection (p less than 0.001), and the individual ECP levels correlated with severity of the disease as determined by the initial PaO2 concentrations (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that eosinophil degranulation in the respiratory tract occurs during RSV bronchiolitis and may play a significant role in the development of virus-induced airway obstruction.     

Bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity in infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.

Aim: To examine over time, the cellular response within the lungs of infants ventilated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and to compare this response in infants born at term with those born preterm. METHODS: Non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were taken from 47 infants (24 born at term and 23 born preterm) who were ventilated for RSV positive bronchiolitis and 10 control infants. BAL cellularity and differential cell counts were calculated using standard techniques. RESULTS: Total cellularity in BAL over the first four days of ventilation in infants with RSV bronchiolitis was greater in term infants (median 2.2 (IQR 4.27) x 10(6) cells/ml) compared with preterm infants (0.58 (1.28) x 10(6) cells/ml). The magnitude of the cellular response in preterm infants with bronchiolitis was similar to that in the control group measured on day 1 (0.62 (0.77) x 10(6) cells/ml). BAL cellularity decreased progressively from the time of intubation in term infants, but remained relatively constant in preterm infants up to seven days after intubation. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the magnitude and type of pulmonary cellular response in term and preterm infants ventilated with RSV bronchiolitis. The cellular response in term infants with bronchiolitis differs from that in a control group of infants. These differences may reflect variations in cellular recruitment in the lung and/or variations in airway calibre.     

Plasma surfactant protein-B is elevated in infants with respiratory syncytial virus-induced bronchiolitis

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis. However the pathophysiology of bronchiolitis is unclear. Leukocytes, especially neutrophils, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis. Whereas we have previously shown that neutrophils augment epithelial leakage and detachment in RSV infection in vitro, it is unknown whether epithelial damage occurs in vivo in infants with RSV bronchiolitis. We hypothesized that respiratory epithelial damage occurs in infants with RSV bronchiolitis and that surfactant proteins leak into the circulation. The plasma concentrations of surfactant protein-A and surfactant protein-B in infants with RSV bronchiolitis were measured by ELISA. Plasma immunoreactive surfactant protein-B in infants with RSV bronchiolitis was markedly higher than that in matching controls. Our study suggests that alveolocapillary permeability is increased in infants with RSV bronchiolitis in vivo and that surfactant protein-B may be a sensitive marker for lung injury in such infants.     

呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎与支气管哮喘的相关性研究

目的探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)毛细支气管炎(毛支)与支气管哮喘两者发病机制的相关性。方法采用ELISA法检测31例RSV毛支患儿、25例支气管哮喘患儿、27例非RSV肺炎患儿和24例健康儿童外周血IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TGF-β、IL-17水平,并进行比较分析。结果 RSV毛支患儿和哮喘患儿的IL-10、TGF-β水平显著低于非RSV肺炎患儿和健康对照儿童,而IL-4、IL-17水平则显著高于非RSV肺炎患儿和健康对照儿童(P均<0.05)。RSV毛支患儿和哮喘患儿的IFN-γ/IL-4、IL-10/IL-17比例显著低于非RSV肺炎患儿和健康对照儿童(P均<0.05),哮喘患儿的TGF-β/IL-17显著低于非RSV肺炎患儿与健康对照儿童(P均<0.05)。RSV毛支患儿与哮喘患儿之间、非RSV肺炎患儿与健康对照儿童之间IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TGF-β、IL-17水平及其比值IFN-γ/IL-4、IL-10/IL-17、TGF-β/IL-17的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论 RSV毛支患儿与哮喘患儿存在相同的外周血细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TGF-β、IL-17水平的改变,这可能是其共同的发病机制之一。     

Bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity in infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Aim: To examine over time, the cellular response within the lungs of infants ventilated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and to compare this response in infants born at term with those born preterm. Methods: Non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were taken from 47 infants (24 born at term and 23 born preterm) who were ventilated for RSV positive bronchiolitis and 10 control infants. BAL cellularity and differential cell counts were calculated using standard techniques. Results: Total cellularity in BAL over the first four days of ventilation in infants with RSV bronchiolitis was greater in term infants (median 2.2 (IQR 4.27) x 10⁶ cells/ml) compared with preterm infants (0.58 (1.28) x 10⁶ cells/ml). The magnitude of the cellular response in preterm infants with bronchiolitis was similar to that in the control group measured on day 1 (0.62 (0.77) x 10⁶ cells/ml). BAL cellularity decreased progressively from the time of intubation in term infants, but remained relatively constant in preterm infants up to seven days after intubation. Conclusions: There are differences in the magnitude and type of pulmonary cellular response in term and preterm infants ventilated with RSV bronchiolitis. The cellular response in term infants with bronchiolitis differs from that in a control group of infants. These differences may reflect variations in cellular recruitment in the lung and/or variations in airway calibre.     

Eicosanoids content in small intestinal mucosa of children with celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by diarrhea, growth retardation, and weight loss in genetically susceptible subjects on a gluten-containing diet. The exact pathogenesis of CD is still obscure, but it is considered to be immunologically mediated. We have previously shown elevated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) content in small intestinal mucosa obtained from active celiac children. In the present study, we found significantly elevated PGE2, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4 (LTC4D4E4) content in small bowel mucosa from children suffering from CD on a gluten-containing diet in comparison to control subjects. PGE2 was 25,278 +/- 7,761 vs. 4,478 +/- 426 pg/mg of protein (mean +/- SEM), respectively. LTB4 was 8,807 +/- 3,706 vs. 403 +/- 63 pg/mg of protein (mean +/- SEM), respectively. LTC4D4E4 was 15,369 +/- 4,085 vs. 2,998 +/- 279 pg/mg of protein (mean +/- SEM), respectively. We conclude that the elevated content of arachidonic acid metabolic products via cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways may contribute to the diarrhea and may be involved in the pathogenesis of mucosal injury.     

Acute bronchiolitis in infancy as risk factor for wheezing and reduced pulmonary function by seven years in Akershus County,Norway

Background  

Acute viral bronchiolitis is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation during infancy in our region with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) historically being the major causative agent. Many infants with early-life RSV bronchiolitis have sustained bronchial hyperreactivity for many years after hospitalisation and the reasons for this are probably multifactorial. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate if children hospitalised for any acute viral bronchiolitis during infancy in our region, and not only those due to RSV, had more episodes of subsequent wheezing up to age seven years and reduced lung function at that age compared to children not hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis during infancy. A secondary aim was to compare the hospitalised infants with proven RSV bronchiolitis (RS+) to the hospitalised infants with non-RSV bronchiolitis (RS-) according to the same endpoints.