Anti-avian antibodies and rheumatoid factor in pigeon hypersensitivity pneumonitis

BACKGROUND: Although several immunological abnormalities may be present in pigeon hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), few specific hallmarks have been described. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) could be useful to discriminate pigeon HP from asymptomatic breeders (AB) and other interstitial lung diseases. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with pigeon HP, 47 AB, 31 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group were studied. IgM RF was determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot using human IgG and IgG Fc fragment as antigens. IgG and IgA anti-avian antibodies (AA) against pigeon serum antigen were also measured. The use of F(ab')2 fraction of peroxidase-labelled anti-human immunoglobulins prevented endogenous interferences. Possible cross-binding of RF with avian antigens and the reactivity against human IgG by AA were studied. RESULTS: RF tests were frequently positive in HP (52.8%) in comparison to AB (4.2%) and IPF (12.9%; P = 2.6 x 10-10 and 4.1 x 10-5). Therefore, the presence of RF in pigeon HP showed a sensitivity of 52% and was highly specific considering the results of AB and IPF (95 and 87%, respectively). The RA group revealed positive RF but negative AA tests. RF activity was confirmed through western blot using purified IgG Fc fragment. Overlapping levels of IgG and IgA AA were found in HP and AB. The frequency of AA was low in IPF. The cross-reaction of RF with avian antigens was excluded, and no reactivity against human IgG by AA was detected. Other endogenous interferences were ruled out. CONCLUSION: No single immunological test may definitively distinguish pigeon HP from AB and other interstitial lung disorders; however, positive RF, together with high AA levels, seems to be useful in differentiating the diagnosis.     

Some investigations into the nature and cause of massive fibrosis (MF) in the lungs of South African gold, coal, and asbestos mine workers

Samples from fibrotic lung lesions greater than 1 cm in diameter macroscopically (by definition, massive fibrosis; MF) were taken from the lungs of 9 randomly selected post-mortem cases of mine workers all showing a background of a pneumoconiosis. These samples were studied histologically, biochemically, and by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. As controls for the biochemical and X-ray diffraction investigations, nonfibrosed lung tissue was taken from the same specimens. The findings suggest that the higher quartz content may be the primary cause responsible for the MF formation in this series of cases, while other factors such as tuberculosis may play a part according to some relevant literature on MF. Although an area of MF appears macroscopically to be a solid lesion, on microscopy this is not the case and the lesion is composed of dense and sparse collagen bundles and cellular elements.     

Horner syndrome

Horner syndrome is an uncommon but important clinical entity, representing interruption of the sympathetic pathway to the eye and face. Horner syndrome is almost always diagnosed clinically, though pharmacological testing can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging modalities such as PET, CT and MRI are important components of work‐up for patients presenting with acquired Horner syndrome. Our patient’s presentation with Horner syndrome unmasked the causative superior sulcus squamous cell carcinoma and a coincidental lower lobe adenocarcinoma. Successful radical treatment of these cancers resulted in complete resolution of the syndrome and disease‐free survival at 18 months. We review the anatomy and pathophysiology underlying this and other causes of Horner syndrome.     

Emergency Medicine Practitioner Knowledge and Use of Decision Rules for the Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: Variations by Practice Setting and Training Level

Background Several clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been validated for pretest probability assessment of pulmonary embolism (PE), but the authors are unaware of any data quantifying and characterizing their use in emergency departments. Objectives To characterize clinicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward two commonly used CDRs for PE. Methods By using a modified Delphi approach, the authors developed a two‐page paper survey including 15 multiple‐choice questions. The questions were designed to determine the respondents' familiarity, frequency of use, and comprehension of the Canadian and Charlotte rules. The survey also queried the frequency of use of unstructured (gestalt) pretest probability assessment and reasons why physicians choose not to use decision rules. The surveys were sent to physicians, physician assistants, and medical students at 32 academic and community hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom. Results Respondents included 555 clinicians; 443 (80%) work in academic practice, and 112 (20%) are community based. Significantly more academic practitioners (73%) than community practitioners (49%) indicated familiarity with at least one of the two decision rules. Among all respondents familiar with a rule, 50% reported using it in more than half of applicable cases. A significant number of these respondents could not correctly identify a key component of the rule (23% for the Charlotte rule and 43% for the Canadian rule). Fifty‐seven percent of all respondents indicated use of gestalt rather than a decision rule in more than half of cases. Conclusions Academic clinicians were more likely to report familiarity with either of these two specific decision rules. Only one half of all clinicians reporting familiarity with the rules use them in more than 50% of applicable cases. Spontaneous recall of the specific elements of the rules was low to moderate. Future work should consider clinical gestalt in the evaluation of patients with possible PE.     

Pathology of the lung in the fetus and neonate, with particular reference to problems of growth and maturation

The major forms of lung pathology in the perinatal period are reviewed with emphasis on disturbances of growth and maturation. Lung hypoplasia results from impairment in the physiological control of lung growth during the fetal period. It is more common than organogenetic defects which are discussed only briefly. Hyaline membrane disease is now seldom seen in a pure form due to improvements in perinatal care. However, its complications and sequelae such as interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are encountered more frequently. In addition, a wide variety of pathological processes may localize to, or be expressed in, the lung of the newborn, notably asphyxial changes, persistent pulmonary hypertension, haemorrhage and infection.     

透明质酸酶对大鼠双光气中毒性肺水肿治疗的初步观察

本实验初步现察了HA对双光气中毒性肺水肿早期的治疗作用。结果提示,早期应用HA能显著延长动物存活时间,而治疗组与对照组动物在肺体指数、肺湿干重量比及肺含水量等项指标则未见显著差别。     

对某高校肺结核患者的心理分析与疏导

目的 探讨肺结核患者的心理特征及相应的心理疏导方法.方法 采用追踪访问方法,对56例确诊肺结核患者进行交谈、观察,分析出不同的心理状态及相应的疏导方法.结果 肺结核患者有焦虑紧张心理21例,占37.5 %,为各种心理问题的首位;其次为抑郁孤独心理18例,占32.1 %;其他患者不同程度地存在着怨恨发泄、意志脆弱、轻视疾病心理和乐观心理.对患者采取有针对性的心理疏导措施,保证了短程督导化疗方案的有效落实,全部临床治愈.结论 肺结核患者的心理疏导对促进患者的治愈有重要意义.     

BiPAP ViSION 在慢性阻塞性肺疾病Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的应用和护理

目的 探讨经鼻(面)罩双水平气道内正压通气(BiPAP)ViSION型呼吸机对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者疗效及护理特点。方法 应用BiPAP ViSION型呼吸机对21例COPD伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者采用鼻/面罩连接单向呼气活瓣行双水平气道正压通气,观察其通气前后动脉血气及临床表现变化。结果 通气治疗后19例患者动脉血氧分压(PaO_2)及氧饱和度(SaO_2)明显升高(P<0.01),二氧化碳分压(PaCO_2)显著降低(P<0.05);肺性脑病症状消失,昏迷患者神志转清。2例病情恶化,其中1例改用有创通气后好转,1例拒绝有创通气死亡。结论BiPAP ViSION呼吸机治疗COPD伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的疗效较为肯定,正确的护理对提高其疗效和减少并发症至关重要。     

Pulmonary vascular disease in secundum atrial septal defect in childhood: an unusual evolution

Reported is a case of a 16-month-old girl with an isolated atrial septal defect in whom severe pulmonary hypertension has developed in 26 months in spite of an important functional gradient across the pulmonic valves at a first catheterization. Individual susceptibility to an increased pulmonary blood flow is evoked.     

肺螨类生境研究

本文叙述了肺螨类的孳生环境及其不同生境里肺螨的种群分布,并对分离出的28种螨的生境和肺螨病患者的工作环境进行了对比分析,认为螨在肺螨病患者工作环境中的分布和肺螨的生境基本上相符合,因此证实了患者的病原体是直接来源于工作环境。