CD13/aminopeptidase N in collagen vascular diseases

To determine the significance of CD13/aminopeptidase N in collagen vascular diseases (CVD), we examined its activity and expression in sera and disease sites of patients with CVD. Significantly higher aminopeptidase activity was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with interstitial lung diseases due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and Sjögren's syndrome than from control subjects. Increased aminopeptidase activity and increased expression of CD13/aminopeptidase N protein were found in alveolar macrophages from CVD patients with interstitial lung diseases. Significantly higher aminopeptidase activity was detected in pleural effusions from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in transudate effusions. The mean aminopeptidase activity in synovial fluids from RA patients was significantly higher than from patients with osteoarthritis. The mean value of serum aminopeptidase activity was significantly higher in patients with SLE, RA, SSc, and PM/DM than in normal subjects. This study suggests that the activity of CD13/aminopeptidase N, locally produced in the disease site, is a useful marker for CVD and that CD13/aminopeptidase N may have an important role in the pathogenesis of CVD.     

Elastase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from oxygen-exposed,Pseudomonas-infected baboons

The adult respiratory distress syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critical care patients. Lung injury in this syndrome is frequently associated with lung infection. The combined insults result in an influx of neutrophils and damage to the pulmonary epithelium. We investigated whether active neutrophil elastolytic activity was present in the bronchoalveolar fluid in baboons with mild or moderate hyperoxic lung injury and infection. Group A (N=7) was exposed for 6 days to FIO₂=0.8 and then inoculated by intratracheal bolus withPseudomonas aeruginosa strain DGI-R130 (PA); the FIO₂ was reduced to 0.5. Group B (N=6) was exposed to similar concentrations of inspired oxygen but inoculated with buffered saline. Antibiotics included parenteral penicillin and topical gentamicin and polymyxin B. All 3 were given continuously in group B but stopped 24 h prior to PA inoculation in group A. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected 1 week before oxygen administration, when the FIO₂ was reduced (day 6 or 7) and prior to necropsy (day 11). Hemodynamic, pulmonary function, microbiological, and biochemical variables were studied. Injured, infected animals (group A) had significant elevations of mean pulmonary artery pressure and decreases in total lung capacity and PaO₂ compared both to baseline and to group B at day 11. At autopsy, group A had significant increases of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophils and bacterial pathogens. Elastase levels in BALF (equal to 0 at baseline) rose to 136±98 ng/ml in group A vs. 6±14 ng/ml in group B. The elastase was inhibited by inhibitors of serine proteases including ones specific for neutrophil elastase. On Sephacryl S-300 chromatography the elastase activity eluted near humanα ₂-macroglobulin and separated from other proteolytic activity. These studies demonstrate a significant level of elastase in BALF from injured, infected baboons compared to injured, uninfected animals.     

Treatment of experimental meconium aspiration syndrome with surfactant lung lavage and conventional vs. asymmetric high-frequency jet ventilation

Respiratory failure caused by meconium aspiration requires combined strategies. We hypothesized that surfactant lung lavage with asymmetric high-frequency jet ventilation (AHFJV) can increase the removal of meconium and improve lung function. During conventional ventilation (CV), a suspension of human meconium (25 mg/ml, 4 ml/kg) was instilled into the tracheal tube of anesthetized rabbits to cause respiratory failure. Animals were then divided into four groups: saline lavage + CV (Sal-CV), surfactant lavage + CV (Surf-CV), saline lavage + HFJV (Sal-HFJV), and surfactant lavage + HFJV (Surf-HFJV). Lung lavage (10 ml/kg in 3 portions) was performed with diluted surfactant (Curosurf, 100 mg of phospholipids/kg) or saline during CV (frequency (f), 30/min; inspiration time (Ti), 50%) or AHFJV (f, 300/min; Ti, 70%). Animals were ventilated for an additional hour with either CV or HFJV (Ti, 50%). Surfactant lavage with both CV and AHFJV removed more meconium than saline lavage. However, the highest removal was found in the Surf-HFJV group vs. all other groups (P < 0.05). The oxygenation index decreased after surfactant lavage in both groups compared to controls (P < 0.001), and more prominently in the Surf-CV group. Elimination of CO(2) was significantly higher in the Surf-HFJV group vs. all other groups (P < 0.05). The ventilation efficiency index increased after lavage in both surfactant groups vs. saline controls (P < 0.05). Dynamic lung-thorax compliance gradually increased, and right-to-left pulmonary shunts decreased in both surfactant groups vs. saline controls after lavage (P < 0.05). Combination of surfactant lavage with both CV and AHFJV was beneficial in rabbits with meconium aspiration syndrome. While AHFJV was more effective in the removal of meconium, CV had a more favorable effect on lung function in the postlavage period.     

胸部物理治疗联合纤维支气管镜灌洗对肺结核的效果

目的:探讨胸部物理治疗（CPT）联合纤维支气管镜（FB）灌洗对肺结核（PTB）患者的应用效果。方法:125例PTB患者根据随机数字表法分为对照组62例和观察组63例,对照组行常规治疗,观察组在其基础上行CPT联合FB灌洗。比较两组治疗7 d后排痰效果和治疗24 h后日排痰量;治疗前和治疗24 h后呼吸频率（RR）、血氧饱和度（SpO2）、气道峰压（PIP）、平均动脉压（MAP）、血氧分压（PaO2）、二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）、氧合指数（OI）。结果:与对照组比较,观察组排痰总有效率、日排痰量显著升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;与治疗前比较,治疗后两组RR、PIP、MAP、PaCO2显著降低,SpO2、PaO2、OI显著升高,观察组变化幅度显著大于对照组（P<0.05）。结论:CPT联合FB灌洗对PTB患者有较好的应用效果,能够有效改善排痰效果和呼吸功能。     

How a discerning cytological examination can aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: case reports

Infections caused by uncommon and resistant pathogens in unusual sites have been increasingly reported in medical literature. We describe four cases of rare cytological findings and clinical impact for patients. In the first case, Aspergillus sp and Pneumocystis jirovecii were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage of a patient with severe systemic lupus. In the second and third cases, we describe the presence of Trichomonas sp and Strongyloides sp larvae in samples of pleural and peritoneal fluid, respectively. The fourth report is about a patient with a wrist subcutaneous nodule whose synovial aspiration and cytology revealed the presence of brown septate hyphae. The early identification of the infectious agent in the cytological examination was essential for the introduction and/or re-adaptation of therapy in the four cases described. Patients in this report were immunocompromised with severe comorbidities, conditions often associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.     

Evaluation and comparison of molecular and conventional diagnostic modalities for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

ContextIn cases of sputum smear-negative and sputum-scarce (SSN/SC) pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid may be helpful in establishing diagnosis. No specific recommendations for BAL samples have yet been formulated due to limited literature.Aims1. To find a sensitive and specific protocol for same-day diagnosis of PTB using BAL in SSN/SC clinically suspected patients. 2. To evaluate the need to routinely perform MGIT for all BAL samples.Settings and DesignProspective observational study design in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi.Methods and materialFibreoptic bronchoscopy was performed and BAL collected from 175 clinically suspected SSN/SC PTB patients. BAL samples were subjected to: ZN Stain, Xpert MTB/RIF CBNAAT, BACTEC MGIT 960 liquid culture and M. tuberculosis complex DNA Real time PCR. The results of the various diagnostic tests were analysed using a) MGIT as gold standard and b) a composite reference standard (CRS) for a final diagnosis of PTB.Statistical analysis usedMicrosoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 21.0 were used. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated and compared using McNemar test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results34 Cases had a final diagnosis of TB as per the CRS. Using CRS, MGIT had a sensitivity of 50.0% (32.4%–67.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between sensitivities of CBNAAT and PCR; both were more sensitive than ZN stain. Sensitivity and specificity of CBNAAT was 79.4% (62.1%–91.3%) and 100.0% (97.4%–100.0%) respectively. The preferred protocol for the hospital is CBNAAT and ZN stain. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity by adding PCR or MGIT to this protocol.ConclusionsWe found it a good strategy to perform CBNAAT and ZN stain on BAL fluid for accurate and same-day PTB diagnosis. CBNAAT is useful for ruling PTB in even when BAL cultures are negative. It is prudent to continue to routinely perform MGIT for all BAL samples.     

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis complicated with tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUNDPulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by the accumulation of phospholipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli. Cases of PAP complicated with tuberculosis are much more complex and have rarely been well recorded. CASE SUMMARYWe describe a 21-year-old Han Chinese patient with suspicious lung infection associated with mild restrictive ventilatory dysfunction and diffusion reduction. High resolution computed tomography revealed a “crazy-paving” appearance and multiple pulmonary miliary nodules around the bronchi. Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated a small amount of periodic acid-Schiff positive proteinaceous materials. A serological test for the presence of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody and an interferon-gamma release assay were both positive. The patient received a standard course of first-line anti-tuberculosis treatment after diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage. To date, clinical remission has been achieved and maintained for five years. CONCLUSIONIn summary, the diagnosis of PAP complicated with tuberculosis was supported by a combination of clinical manifestations, imaging, pulmonary function, laboratory examinations, bronchoalveolar lavage, etc. This case highlighted that diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage in combination with anti-tuberculosis treatment is a safe and effective option for mild PAP patients with tuberculosis.     

造血干细胞移植后肺孢子菌肺炎23例临床研究

目的:分析异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）后肺部危重并发症-肺孢子菌肺炎（PCP）的高危因素、临床特点及预后转归。方法:回顾性收集并分析2016年1月至2021年1月在本院血液科接受HSCT后发生肺孢子菌肺炎的患者的临床特征、实验室资料、治疗及转归。结果:共纳入23例符合PCP临床诊断标准的患者,PCP中位发病时间为移植后221 d;影像CT以弥漫性磨玻璃样渗出影为主。血清β-1,3-D葡聚糖（BDG）中位数为894.25 ng/L,共有91.3%的患者大于60 ng/L;60.9%患者的淋巴细胞计数低于1×10 9/L;65.2%的CD4 +T淋巴细胞绝对值低于200/μL。21例患者在肺泡灌洗液mNGS中检测到肺孢子菌属序列,15例患者为混合感染。治疗上给予TMP-SMX抗肺孢子菌后18例患者好转出院,5例死亡。 结论:HSCT后患者并发PCP为肺部急症,进展较快,常合并混合感染,血清BDG升高对PCP诊断具有指导意义,肺泡灌洗液中二代测序（mNGS）对肺孢子菌敏感性高,及早进行肺泡灌洗,有助于早期诊治,明显降低病死率;PCP患者进展为需要机械通气及高流量吸氧提示预后不佳。     

支气管肺泡灌洗术在儿科呼吸系统疾病中的应用

支气管肺泡灌洗术( bronchoalveolar lavage,BAL)在儿童呼吸系统疾病中已得到广泛应用,其在肺部疾病的诊断和治疗价值已得到普遍证实。施行BAL 后所得的支气管肺泡灌洗液( bronchoalve-olar lavage fluid,BALF)常用于微生物病原学鉴定、细胞及非细胞成分分析,指导临床用药、疾病诊断治疗和发病机制研究等。该文就近年来儿科领域BAL的操作技巧、标本转运处理以及在下呼吸道感染、间质性肺病等肺部疾患临床应用中的新进展作一论述。