Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) in a child with mild-to-moderate asthma: evidence of mast cell and eosinophil recruitment in lung specimens

Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is rarely described in children and little is known about its pathogenesis. This paper reports on an 11-year-old patient suffering from mild-to-moderate asthma. He presented with a retrocardiac density at chest computed tomography scan that was slow to resolve and failed to respond to antibiotic therapy. Open lung biopsy revealed a histological picture with buds of granulation tissue in respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts, with organized extensions into the alveoli. The use of monoclonal antibodies on biopsy specimens demonstrated the presence of an inflammatory process affecting not only the thickened alveolar walls, but also the remaining lung parenchyma, the pulmonary arteries, and the bronchioles. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted mainly of mast cells and eosinophils. The clinical condition improved with steroid therapy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of BOOP in an asthmatic child with recruitment of mast cells and eosinophils documented by using monoclonal antibodies.     

Eosinophil influx into the airways in patients with exercise-induced asthma

Exercise-induced asthma is a common phenomenon, the mechanism of which is undetermined. Eosinophils have been suggested as playing a role in its occurrence. We studied the effect of exercise-induced asthma on the cellular and mediator composition of spontaneously obtained sputum. Twenty-five patients with bronchial asthma were investigated by studying sputum spontaneously obtained before and following challenge. One group with (n=9) and one without (n=9) exercise-induced asthma performed exercise challenge. A third group (n=7) performed methacholine challenge. The sputum was analysed using Giemsa staining for differential cell count, measuring eosinophil cationic proteins and mixtures of leukotrienes (D4, E4 and C4) in the liquid phase using ELISA. The group with exercise-induced asthma had a mean drop of 23.7+/-7.4% in FEV1, significantly (P=0.001) higher than the group without it. Following challenges, there were significant increases in sputum eosinophils only in the group with exercise-induced asthma (from 8.1+/-13.9% to 18.3+/-20.2%, P=0.0017) and not in control groups (from 0.9+/-0.9% to 1.5+/-15%) or in those who had methacholine challenge (from 23.6+/-27.2% to 22.3+/-23.8%). Eosinophil cationic proteins did not change significantly in any group. In the liquid phase of the sputum, the amount of leukotrienes increased following exercise in six of the seven patients with exercise-induced asthma in whom it was measured. The influx of eosinophils to the airway in patients who develop exercise-induced asthma can be partially explained by the leukotrienes in the airways of those patients.     

Pattern of airway inflammation and its determinants in children with acute severe asthma.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sputum cell counts and clinical variables in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma. Sputum was successfully obtained from 37 of 42 children presenting to the Emergency Department with acute asthma, using ultrasonically nebulized normal saline (n = 19) or spontaneous expectoration (n = 18). Sputum portions were selected and dispersed, and total and differential cell counts were performed. Sputum supernatant was assessed for eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-8. The exacerbations were of 3 inflammatory cell patterns: eosinophilic (n = 16 or 43% of total), combined eosinophilic/neutrophilic (E/N; n = 13.3 or 35% of total), or noneosinophilic (n = 8 or 22% of total). IL-5 was highest in eosinophilic exacerbations. Combined E/N exacerbations had increased mast cells (77%) and higher sputum ECP levels than eosinophilic exacerbations: 2,146 ng/mL vs. 666 ng/mL (P = 0.04). The speed of onset of the exacerbation was not related to the inflammatory cell profile. Logistic regression identified maintenance asthma treatment (odds ratio (OR), 5.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-26.8) and lung function during the acute episode (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.7-93) as significantly associated with the intensity of sputum eosinophilia. Eosinophils were lowest in children who received maintenance treatment with oral corticosteroids compared to those with no background asthma preventer therapy (P = 0.001). In conclusion, we identified three distinct patterns of airway inflammation in children with acute asthma; they included increased eosinophils, combined eosinophilic-neutrophilic infiltration, and a noneosinophilic pattern. Eosinophil degranulation was greatest with the combined eosinophilic/neutrophilic pattern of airway inflammation. Sputum eosinophils were associated with clinical severity, and background asthma therapy, but not with outcome, nor with speed of onset of exacerbations. These different inflammatory cell profiles imply different etiological agents and may require differing treatment strategies.     

急性发作期老年晚发哮喘患者气道炎症特征分析

目的检测急性发作期老年晚发哮喘(LOA)诱导痰细胞学、嗜酸细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)和白介素-5(IL-5)、白介素-8(IL-8)水平,观察LOA气道炎症特征。方法检测86例急性发作期LOA患者诱导痰中细胞学分类计数、ECP和IL-5、IL-8水平;选择30例健康老年人作为对照。结果以诱导痰中EOS数量≥3%作为临界值,86例急性发作期LOA患者中,79例(81%)诱导痰中嗜酸细胞(EOS)数量增高,为痰EOS增高组;17例(19%)痰中性细胞数量增高,为痰非EOS增高组。痰非EOS增高组诱导痰中性细胞和IL-8水平显著高于痰EOS增高组和健康老年组(P0.01);而痰中EOS数量、ECP和IL-5水平显著低于痰EOS增高组(P0.01),但与健康老年组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论急性发作期LOA患者存在气道嗜酸细胞和中性细胞两种炎症类型,测定患者气道炎症类型有助于指导治疗。     

New aspects of isocyanate asthma

Air concentration of isocyanates are associated with the frequency of induced diseases. Asthma, bronchitis and rhinitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, and allergic alveolitis, respectively, were observed in exposed workers. Inhalation challenge tests with isocyanates found some 14% of symptomatic persons immunologically sensitized. At and above current threshold limit values (10 ppb) there is a risk of lung function deterioration also in asymptomatic workers.     

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Promotes Venous Thrombosis Earlier in Life

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk of having venous thromboembolism. Methods: Medical records from 1253 IBD patients attending hospital care during the years 1987-97 were studied. These patients were recruited from a population of 340,000 inhabitants. Patients with verified venous thrombosis were characterized clinically, and blood samples were examined for coagulopathy including analyses of antithrombin, plasminogen, protein C, protein S, factor V, and prothrombin mutations. As control groups we used 99 patients with verified venous thrombosis and no history of IBD and 288 volunteers with no history of thrombosis. Results: The incidence of venous thrombosis was 1.5/1000 IBD patients per year, which is comparable to the background population. The mean age was significantly lower in IBD patients than in non-IBD patients (53 versus 64 years, P = 0.0225). We found one patient with antithrombin deficiency but none with protein C, protein S, or plasminogen deficiency. Factor V mutation was as prevalent in IBD patients with thrombosis as in thrombotic non-IBD patients (27% versus 28%) and 3.0 times (95% confidence interval, 0.8-11.9) more frequent in IBD patients with thrombosis than in healthy controls. Prothrombin mutation was not detected in IBD patients with venous thrombosis. Conclusion: We found no increased incidence of venous thrombosis in IBD patients compared with a background population. However, IBD patients had venous thrombosis earlier in life than non-IBD patients. Although factor V mutation may contribute to thrombosis, IBD acts as a trigger through mechanisms that still remain unexplained.     

成人期起病支气管哮喘临床及炎症特点分析

目的了解成人期起病支气管哮喘临床特点及相关细胞因子分析。方法根据哮喘起病年龄,分为成人期起病组和儿童期起病组,检测肺功能、外周血总Ig E、IL-1、IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10以及肿瘤坏死因子-α等炎症因子,诱导痰细胞计数及分类,两组进行比较。结果共入选哮喘患者161例,成人期起病患者103例,儿童期起病患者58例。成人期起病组与儿童期起病组有过敏史者分别为71.8%和94.8%(P0.001);合并过敏性鼻炎者分别为58.3%(60/103)和74.1%(43/58),P0.05;两组平均病程为7.9±8.9年和34.4±14.8年,FEV1%两组无统计学差异。白介素及肿瘤坏死因子两组无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论无论哮喘起病年龄早晚,过敏仍是哮喘起病主要因素。成人期起病哮喘FEV1%与病程无显著相关。血及诱导痰嗜酸性粒细胞、血清白介素、TNF-α等在不同年龄起病哮喘中无差异。     

支气管哮喘患者呼出气一氧化氮与外周血嗜酸性粒细胞的相关性

目的观察支气管哮喘患者呼出气一氧化氮(Fe NO)的表达水平,分析其与外周血嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)之间的相关性。方法收集2013年2月-2014年12月期间贵州省人民医院支气管哮喘患者58例,其中支气管哮喘急性发作期40例(急性发作期组),支气管哮喘缓解期18例(缓解期组),健康对照组30例。采用Fe NO分析仪测定Fe NO水平,并检测各组外周血嗜酸粒细胞计数,采用SPSS 11.5统计软件进行统计学处理,组间差异性比较采用单因素方差分析,相关性分析采用Pearson相关性分析。P0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果支气管哮喘急性发作期组Fe NO为101.44±32.87ppb,EOS为5.0±2.62×10~9/L;缓解期组Fe NO为32.83±11.42 ppb,EOS为1.32±0.59×10~9/L;健康对照组Fe NO为8.43±3.02ppb,EOS为0.22±0.09×10~9/L。发作期组及缓解期组Fe NO及EOS水平均高于健康对照组(P0.05)。急性发作期组与缓解期组比较,Fe NO及EOS水平差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。支气管哮喘患者Fe NO水平与EOS呈正相关性(P0.05)。结论 Fe NO能够一定程度上反应气道嗜酸细胞炎症,Fe NO检测可能有助于评估支气管哮喘的控制水平。     

IL-17＋ T淋巴细胞在哮喘发病中的参与及表达

目的用卵白蛋白（OVA）建立小鼠哮喘模型,观察IL-17＋ T淋巴细胞在哮喘发病过程中的参与情况。方法 30只BALB/c雌性SPF级小鼠随机分为正常对照组（n=15）和哮喘模型组（n=15）;分离小鼠肺支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）,对BALF中细胞总数和分类计数;分离外周血的淋巴细胞,用流式细胞术检测胞内细胞因子IL-17的表达,从而测定小鼠中IL-17＋ T淋巴细胞的含量。结果哮喘模型组BALF中细胞总数和中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞百分率均高于对照组（P〈0.01）。病理观察可见哮喘模型组小鼠的气道炎症以中性粒细胞及嗜酸性粒细胞浸润为主,而对照组无此变化。哮喘模型组外周血中IL-17＋ T淋巴细胞含量较正常对照组升高（P〈0.01）。结论 IL-17＋ T淋巴细胞参与了哮喘发病过程,在哮喘急性发作的气道炎症中扮有重要作用。     

Elicitation of allergic asthma by immunoglobulin free light chains

The observation that only 50% of patients with adult asthma manifest atopy indicates that other inflammatory mechanisms are likely involved in producing the characteristic features of this disorder; namely reversible airway obstruction, hyperresponsiveness, and pulmonary inflammation. Our recent discovery that antigen-specific Ig free light chains (LCs) mediate hypersensitivity-like responses suggests that these molecules may be of import in the pathophysiology of asthma. Using a murine experimental model of nonatopic asthma, we now have shown that an LC antagonist, the 9-mer peptide F991, can abrogate the development of airway obstruction, hyperresponsiveness, and pulmonary inflammation. Further, passive immunization with antigen-specific LCs and subsequent airway challenge can elicit a mast cell-dependent reaction leading to acute bronchoconstriction. These findings, and the demonstration that the concentration of free kappa LCs in the sera of patients with adult asthma were significantly increased (as compared with age-matched nonasthmatic individuals), provide previously undescribed insight into the pathogenesis of asthma. In addition, the ability to inhibit pharmacologically LC-induced mast cell activation provides a therapeutic means to prevent or ameliorate the adverse bronchopulmonary manifestations of this incapacitating disorder.     

BAL eotaxin and IL-5 in asthma, and the effects of inhaled corticosteroid and beta2 agonist

Objective:   In a longitudinal ex vivo placebo-controlled study, asthmatics already treated with inhaled corticosteroid received supplemental long-acting β-agonist (LABA) or increased doses of their inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Previously reports have shown significant reductions in biopsy eosinophil numbers after treatment with LABA. Following these findings, eosinophil chemokines eotaxin and IL-5 in the BAL fluid at baseline and after 3 months of study medication have now been measured, and these data with that from new cross-sectional controls have also been compared. It is hypothesised that changes in airway eosinophils would be related to eosinophil cytokines.
Methodology:   BAL cytokines were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while eosinophils were measured by immunohistochemistry or differential cell counting. For all measures, longitudinal data were compared to that from ICS-free asthmatics ( n  = 42) and non-asthmatic controls ( n  = 28).
Results:   BAL eotaxin in asthmatics was elevated above non-asthmatic levels regardless of ICS levels. BAL IL-5 was elevated in ICS-free asthmatics, but not in asthmatics on low-dose ICS treatment. Longitudinally, BAL eotaxin was unchanged after 3 months. Unexpectedly, IL-5 increased after 3 months of additional LABA treatment but was not further affected by increasing the dose of ICS. Airway eotaxin seemed to be constitutively raised in asthmatics, whereas, IL-5 levels were more steroid-responsive. No relationship was observed between eosinophils and eosinophilic cytokines in the BAL.
Conclusions:   While the elevation of luminal IL-5 with LABA treatment cannot be accounted for, it may have contributed to luminal clearance of airway wall eosinophils. The lack of correlation between airways eosinophils and eosinophilic cytokines in the BAL is particularly important.     

Reproducibility of Sputum Differential Cell Counts Is not Affected by Squamous Epithelial Cells

Objective. Induced sputum is used to assess markers of inflammation in asthmatic individuals, and sputum cell differential counts provide an outcome to evaluate the presence, type, and degree of inflammation in the airways. Contamination of sputum slides with squamous epithelial cells (SECs) has been reported to adversely affect the reproducibility of sputum cell differential counts; however, this has not been studied in a controlled manner. Excluding sputum slides because of excessive squamous cell contamination can be problematic resulting in under-powering of studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of SEC contamination and cell dispersion on the reproducibility of differential counts of sputum cells prepared on glass slides. Study Design. A total of 33 sputum samples were induced from 11 subjects with mild asthma under baseline conditions and following an allergen inhalation challenge. Mucoid and salivary portions of each sample were divided and processed in parallel. To evaluate the effect of increasing the proportion of SEC and to evaluate the effect of increasing the number of leukocytes per high power field (HPF), four slides with varying leukocyte numbers and SEC percentages were prepared from each sample by combining and adjusting the volume of cell suspensions derived from mucous and saliva. The four slides were prepared to fall in the following categories: (A) 50 cells/HPF and <20% SEC; (B) 50 cells/HPF and >20% SEC; (C) 100 cells/HPF and <20% SEC; and (D) 100 cells/HPF and >20% SEC. All slides were blinded and counted twice by an experienced observer, and twice by an inexperienced observer. Results. The differential cell counts for eosinophils, macrophages, and neutrophils were highly reproducible under all conditions when enumerated by an experienced observer (ICC > 0.9), and furthermore, SEC contamination did not affect ICC when differential counts were enumerated by an inexperienced observer (ICC > 0.8). Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that slides containing SECs, up to 40% in this study, have reproducible differential cell counts.     

Significance of eosinophil and mast cell counts in rectal mucosa in ulcerative colitis

Eosinophil and mast cell counts were done in 44 patients with active ulcerative colitis, 10 patients with ulcerative colitis in remission, and 44 matched subjects with functional bowel disorder. Mean (±sd) rectal eosinophil counts (EC) per unit area were significantly high (P<0.01) in active ulcerative colitis (5.80±5.49) as compared with inactive disease (2.81±2.19) or controls (3.01±1.67). Eosinophil count was not significantly different in the acute stage between responder (6.36±5.95) and nonresponders (5.1±5.84) to medical treatment and was thus of little discriminatory and prognostic value. Mean (±sd) EC was reduced from 6.36±5.95 to 3.91±3.19 in responders after four weeks of medical treatment. There was little change in the EC with treatment in nonresponders. No correlation was seen between tissue eosinophils and clinical severity of ulcerative colitis. Mast cell count was not significantly different between patients with active ulcerative colitis, inactive disease, and controls and thus had little diagnostic or prognostic value. It can be concluded therefore, that EC in the rectal mucosa indicated activity but not severity of ulcerative colitis. A reduction in EC possibly indicated remission. Rectal EC, however, cannot correctly prognosticate the treatment response and outcome of the disease.     

支气管哮喘气道炎症可能机制的探讨

目的探讨支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）患者气道炎症特征及其可能机制,并进一步观察吸入糖皮质激素治疗对气道炎性细胞分类计数、炎症介质等的影响。方法分别选择轻度（轻度组）、中度（中度组）和重度（重度组）持续哮喘患者15例、14例和19例,正常对照组15名,分别行哮喘症状控制评分、肺功能测定、诱导痰炎性细胞分类计数、调节激活正常T细胞表达和分泌细胞因子（RANTES）、嗜酸粒细胞阳离子蛋白（ECP）、白介素8（IL～8）及髓过氧化物酶（MPO）浓度检测,然后规范吸入糖皮质激素治疗4周,随访复查上述指标。结果诱导痰中性粒细胞百分比、IL-8及MPO重度组明显升高,分别为（62．40±22．05）％、594．53±85．11、39．25±10．67与轻度组[（47．23±15．12）％、183．63±120．98、12．47±4．15]、中度组[（46．13±19．23）％、352．76±71．72、22．93±7．353、正常对照组[（31．44±13．31）％、103．26±36．33、10．22±4．13]比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈O．01）;RANTES、嗜酸粒细胞百分比（EOS％）和ECP浓度在各哮喘组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。EOS％与RANTES、ECP水平呈正相关（r=0．557,P〈0．05;r=0．852,P〈0．01）;中性粒细胞百分比与IL-8、MPO水平呈正相关（r=0．732,P〈0．05;r=0．806,P〈0．05）;经糖皮质激素治疗后,对轻、中、重度哮喘患者合并进行分析表明,治疗后症状评分由（9．8±5．4）分下降至（4．0±3．5）分和肺功能指标第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比由（62．2±23．3）％升高至（75．9±17．5）％显著改善,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。在接受糖皮质激素治疗后,RANTES、EOSO和ECP水平均显著降低。另外MPO水平也显著降低（P〈0．01）;但治疗后在重度组仍显著高于轻、中度组（P〈0．01）。但IL-8、中性粒细胞百分比治疗后?     

Killing of newly excysted juveniles of Fasciola hepatica in sensitized rats

Newly excysted juvenile Fasciola hepatica were injected intraperitoneally into previously sensitized rats. They were recovered at various intervals post-injection and examined by light and electron microscopy. The challenge flukes were rapidly coated with peritoneal cells which, in the early stages, were mainly eosinophils. The eosinophils adhered closely to the flukes and degranulated on to their surface releasing cytochemically detectable peroxidase. Vacuoles formed in the tegument of the flukes beneath the adherent eosinophils and these increased in size until they spanned the width of the tegument, thus destroying its continuity. From 4 h post-injection some of the flukes had lost their teguments and were surrounded by phagocytic cells, particularly neutrophils; at this stage they were judged to be dead. During the first five minutes post-injection degranulating mast cells were associated with the challenge flukes. Their role in eosinophil chemotaxis is discussed as are the possible mechanisms of eosinophil adherence and degranulation. Using an anti-C₃ fluorescein conjugate, it was demonstrated that C₃ was not bound to the surface of challenge flukes either in vitro or in vitro in immune serum.     

急性期和慢性期哮喘小鼠模型在哮喘致病过程中的对比研究

目的 比较卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)诱导的急性期和慢性期哮喘小鼠模型在气道炎症、气道重塑和气道高反应方面的差异,明确在哮喘致病过程中肺组织的病理变化.方法 48只BALB/c小鼠随机分为急性组和慢性组,其中急性组包括正常对照组(A1组)和急性哮喘组(A2组),慢性组包括正常对照组(B1组)和慢性哮喘组(B2组).OVA致敏和激发方法分别构建急性早期哮喘模型和慢性期哮喘模型后,测定气道阻力,BALF细胞计数和分类计数,酶联免疫吸附测定(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测IL-4、IL-5、转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)、血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)和γ-干扰素(interferon-γ,IFN-γ).HE染色观察气道炎症,AB-PAS和Masson染色测定气道重塑.结果 与正常小鼠相比,A2组和B2组小鼠气道阻力均明显升高,但B2组小鼠气道阻力在基础值即发生明显改变.相比于慢性组哮喘小鼠,急性组哮喘小鼠BALF中细胞总数和嗜酸粒细胞数,IL-4、IL-5和IFN-γ水平,肺组织气道血管周围炎症细胞聚集,以及气道黏液分泌水平等炎症性改变更为明显.相比于A2组,B2组哮喘小鼠BALF中TGF-β1和VEGF水平,气道平滑肌增厚,上皮下胶原沉积,上皮下纤维化等改变更为显著.结论 在急性早期哮喘中主要是以炎症性改变为主,但在哮喘早期即开始出现轻度的重塑性改变;而在慢性期哮喘中虽然存在炎症性改变,但影响哮喘症状的因素却主要以器质性改变为主.