Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “BAL”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cellular changes in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of pigs, following immunization by the enteral or respiratory route.

Normal young pigs were immunized by the oral or aerogenic route with the viable or inactivated lung-pathogenic bacterium Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae. Three weeks later the cellular composition as well as the lymphocyte subset composition of the bronchoalveolar space were examined by BAL. Lymphocytes in the lavage increased significantly, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. After oral immunization a dramatic increase of plasma cells and lymphoid blasts was found. Among immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes IgG+ cells showed the most pronounced increase. For most lymphocyte subsets there was no difference between viable and inactivated bacteria. Oral immunization with a lung-pathogenic bacterium results in increased numbers of lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar space and might play a critical role in protection against lower respiratory tract infections.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae↗
PubMed2006

Increased endothelin-1 levels of BAL fluid in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis in sarcoidosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Various factors have been intensely studied to define the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis in sarcoidosis. Endothelin (ET) consists of three isoforms and is known for its potent vasoconstrictor properties. ET plays an important role in the fibroproliferative process of interstitial lung diseases. METHODS: To investigate the role of ET in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in sarcoidosis, ET-1 and ET-3 concentrations were measured in BAL fluid (BALF) in 22 non-smoking patients with sarcoidosis and in control subjects (n = 12). Immunoreactivity of ET-1 was also evaluated in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from sarcoidosis patients. To assess the effects of ET in BALF on fibroblast proliferation, human foetal lung fibroblasts were cultured with sarcoidosis or control BALFs in the presence or absence of the ET-receptor antagonist TAK-044. RESULTS: ET-1 levels in sarcoidosis BALF were significantly higher than those in control, whereas ET-3 levels were not different between sarcoidosis and control. ET-1 levels were correlated with the number of AMs in BALF. ET-1-immunoreactivity was found mainly in AM of sarcoidosis BALF. Sarcoidosis BALF significantly stimulated fibroblast proliferation, compared with control BALF, and the fibroblast proliferation induced by sarcoidosis BALF was inhibited by TAK-044. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of ET-1 in AM could enhance fibrogenesis in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1974

Heterogeneity in lipid composition of the outer membrane and cytoplasmic membrane and cytoplasmic membrane of Pseudomonas BAL-31.

The outer membranes and cytoplasmic membranes of the marine bacterium Pseudomonas BAL-31 were separated by washing the cells three times in 0.5 M NaCl and twice in 0.5 M sucrose. Electron microscopy during the removal of membranes revealed that the outer membranes fragmented in a regular manner to give rise to fairly uniform vesicles measuring approximately 140 nm in diameter. Isolated outer membranes had a buoyant density in sucrose of 1.230 g per cm(3), whereas the cytoplasmic membranes had a density of 1.194 g per cm(3). The removal of the outer membrane during the application of this procedure was monitored by measuring the release of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid and phospholipid. The cells lost 85.5% of their 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid and 47.3% of their phospholipid during this treatment. Complete recovery of outer membrane material could be achieved. The removal of 25.5% of the 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid and 0.9% of the phospholipid rendered the cells sensitive to lysis with Triton X-100. The phospholipid composition of the outer membrane was calculated to be 78.9% phosphatidylethanolamine and 16.1% phosphatidylglycerol. The phospholipid composition of the cytoplasmic membrane proved to be 71.5% phosphatidylethanolamine and 23.5% phosphatidylglycerol. The fatty acid composition was also found to be quantitatively heterogeneous between the two membranes.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1980

Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase from the marine Pseudomonas sp. BAL-31.

A deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-dependent DNA polymerase (DNA nucleotidyltransferase) was purified 3,000-fold from the marine Pseuodomonas sp. BAL-31. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated by glycerol gradient sedimentation to be 110,000. The enzyme migrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gels as a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 105,000. An absolute requirement for divalent cation was satisfied by Mg2+ or Mn2+ at concentrations of 1 mM. Monovalent cations at concentrations higher than 50 mM showed an inhibitory effect. The polymerase activity was resistant to N-ethylmaleimide and showed a wide pH optimum.

DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase↗
PubMed1988

Binding of BAL 31 RNA polymerase to PM2 DNA as determined by electron microscopy and protection against restriction endonuclease cleavage.

Specific binding sites of BAL 31 RNA polymerase on PM2 DNA have been mapped by protection against HincII and HindIII cleavage and by observation of enzyme-DNA complexes by electron microscopy. Nine specific binding sites were observed at map units 0.19, 0.20, 0.28, 0.54, 0.63, 0.65, 0.71, 0.72, and 0.75 by the first method. All these sites were confirmed by electron microscopy which, in addition, revealed another site at 0.05 map unit. Published nucleotide sequences of the region surrounding sites at 0.71 and 0.75 map units show the presence of consensus sequences for procaryotic promoters.

Bacteriophages↗
PubMed1995

Human neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8), identified in bronchiectasis BAL fluid, correlates with severity of disease.

Collagenases in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with bronchiectasis and healthy subjects were characterized using specific functional and immunologic assays. The BAL fluid contained interstitial collagenase and collagenolytic proteinases of bacterial origin. Collagenase activities, obtained after organomercurial activation, correlated with the severity of bronchiectasis. In severe cases, collagenase activities were 3.5 x 10(-7) IU/L/48 h or 4.8 x 10(-6) IU/g/48 h (p < 0.01), in moderate ones 1.74 x 10(-7) IU/L/48 h or 3.35 x 10(-6) IU/g/48 h (p < 0.05), and in mild cases 0.32 x 10(-7) IU/L/48 h or 0.7 x 10(-6) IU/g/48 h (p < 0.05). The corresponding activities in healthy control subjects were 0.08 x 10(-7) IU/L/48 h or 0.13 x 10(-6) IU/g/48 h. The cellular origin of interstitial collagenase was assessed with doxycycline inhibition test utilizing the differential sensitivity of fibroblast-type collagenase/MMP-1 (IC50 = 280 microM) and neutrophil-type collagenase/MMP-8 (IC50 = 26 microM) to the anticollagenolytic, nonantimicrobial doxycycline action. Interstitial collagenase, contained in BALF, was totally inhibited by 100 microM of doxycycline. It can therefore be concluded that most of mammalian collagenase presented in inflamed fluid of bronchiectasis originated from neutrophils. The molecular forms of neutrophil-type collagenase/MMP-8 were confirmed and analyzed by Western-blot, which showed evidence of the proteolytic conversion of the latent 85-kD MMP-8 proenzyme species into active 65-kD molecular weight species. These findings strongly suggest involvement of proteolytic activation pathway of proMMP-8, especially in severe and moderate forms of bronchiectasis. Furthermore, collagenolytic proteases of bacterial origins may also participate in tissue destruction of the lung.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Increase of activated T-cells in BAL fluid of Japanese patients with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

To study the role of T cells in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) and to examine the influence of differing racial background, T-cell subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (BALF) and in peripheral blood of 8 Japanese patients with idiopathic BOOP and 5 with CEP were compared with those of 15 normal subjects. The BALF pattern in BOOP was characterized by a significantly high number and percentage of lymphocyte and by a low CD4 to CD8 ratio compared with patients with CEP and healthy volunteers. Patients with CEP showed a significantly higher percentage of BALF eosinophils compared with other groups. There was no significant difference in BALF CD4 to CD8 ratio between patients with CEP and volunteers. Two-color analysis of T-cell subsets revealed that CD3+HLA-DR+ cells (activated T cell) in BALF of patients with BOOP and CEP increased significantly compared with volunteers, while BALF CD3+CD25+ cells (interleukin 2 receptor+ T-cell) did not. In addition, BALF CD8+HLA-DR+ cells (activated suppressor/cytotoxic T cell) in patients with BOOP and CD4+HLA-DR+ cells (activated helper T cell) in patients with CEP were significantly higher than levels detected in healthy subjects. The percentage of CD8+CD57+ cells and the number of CD8+CD11b- cells (cytotoxic T cell) in BALF were significantly higher in patients with BOOP compared with patients with CEP and healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in the expression of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte surface antigens among the groups. These findings indicate that cytotoxic T cells in Japanese patients with idiopathic BOOP and helper T cells in CEP appear in the lungs is consistent with a previous report in Caucasians, supporting the hypothesis that T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Prospective evaluation of a semiquantitative dip slide method compared with quantitative bacterial cultures of BAL fluid.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative bacteriologic workup of BAL fluid (BALF) has evolved as a sensitive and specific technique for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Conventional quantitative cultures are expensive, time-consuming, and often unavailable on a 24-h basis. Therefore, we evaluated a dip slide method for the semiquantitative measurement of bacterial cultures in BALF specimens and compared the results with those from conventional quantitative cultures. METHODS: Fifty BALF specimens from 45 patients with suspected pulmonary infection were examined prospectively with both methods. We compared the microbiologic results of conventional quantitative cultures with those of the dip slide method that is commercially available for blood cultures. Cost-effectiveness analysis of both methods was performed. RESULTS: In 37 BALF specimens, 64 bacterial strains were detected with both techniques. The dip slide method and conventional cultures showed a high correlation with respect to the colony counts of the individual organisms per milliliter BALF (r=0.935; p= 0.0001) and the sum of colony counts in individual patients (r=0.947; p=0.0001). Although five strains were not detected by the dip slide technique, the diagnostic accuracy was not influenced. In 13 BALF samples, there was no growth of bacteria with both techniques. While the diagnostic yield of both methods was similar, the dip slide technique was 44 to 66% less expensive than conventional cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The examination of BALF with a clip slide method is highly comparable to conventional quantitative culture techniques, less expensive, and can be used independently of a specialized microbiology laboratory on a 24-h basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Gamma-delta T cells in BAL fluid of chronic lower respiratory tract infection.

Gamma-delta (gamma/delta) T cells are thought to represent the first line of defense against various pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether gamma/delta T cells were increased in BAL fluid (BALF) of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), a model of chronic lower respiratory tract infection. The study population consisted of four groups, including patients with DPB, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and normal subjects. Two-color direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used for analysis of peripheral blood or BALF from these patients. The percentage of peripheral blood or BALF gamma/delta T cells relative to the total number of lymphocytes was similar in the four groups. Although the absolute number of gamma/delta T cells in BALF was significantly higher in DPB patients compared with the other three groups, the total lymphocyte number in BALF in DPB patients was increased and the number of BALF gamma/delta T cells correlated with the total lymphocyte number in BALF. Furthermore, the percentage and number of BALF gamma/delta T cells were not related to a certain group of pathogenic organisms or the number of colony-forming units. Our results suggest that gamma/delta T cells are unlikely to play a part in chronic lower respiratory tract infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

BAL fluid contains detectable superoxide dismutase 1 activity.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined which, if any, of the three superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were detectable in BAL fluid (BALF). BACKGROUND: The identity and concentrations of antioxidant molecules in BALF have not been fully characterized. One important class of antioxidants is that of the SOD enzymes. METHODS: BALF from control nonsmokers (n=9), smokers (n=7), and asthmatic subjects (n=12) were examined for SOD activity by a modified pyrogallol auto-oxidation method. The particular SOD enzyme or enzymes responsible for any activity were identified based on activity inhibition data and gel filtration column chromatography patterns. RESULTS: SOD activity was detected in all samples. Unlike serum or some other fluids, in which the enzyme extracellular SOD accounts for virtually all SOD activity, the enzyme SOD 1 accounted for virtually all SOD activity. BALF SOD activities were lower for smokers than for control or asthmatic subjects (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: BALF SOD 1 activities can be measured as part of lung antioxidant studies. Data from a limited number of subjects suggested that smokers can have low BALF SOD values.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Soluble form of fas and fas ligand in BAL fluid from patients with pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) pathway is a representative system of apoptosis-signaling receptor molecules. We previously described that this pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of fibrosing lung diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that soluble form of Fas (sFas) and FasL (sFasL) may also be associated with this disorder. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We measured sFas and sFasL levels in BAL fluid (BALF) from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases (CVD-IP), and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BALF from all patients was obtained before prednisolone therapy. sFasL levels were relatively increased in IPF patients (p = 0.084), and significantly increased in CVD-IP patients (p < 0.05) and BOOP patients (p < 0.05), compared with control subjects. BALF sFasL levels were elevated in the IPF or CVD-IP subgroups with an indication for prednisolone therapy, compared with those without an indication for therapy. The BALF sFasL level in IPF patients was correlated with the number of total cells and lymphocytes. The BALF sFasL level in BOOP patients was relatively or significantly correlated with the number of total cells or lymphocytes, respectively. The BALF sFas level was significantly increased in BOOP patients, but not in IPF or CVD-IP patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that BALF sFasL levels may be associated with the accumulation of inflammatory cells and reflect the degree of lymphocyte alveolitis in IPF. The elevation of sFasL may be associated with the deterioration of IPF and CVD-IP. The elevation of the BALF sFas level may abrogate the cytotoxicity of FasL in BOOP patients, which may be associated with better prognosis of BOOP, compared with IPF or CVD-IP.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Elevated levels of soluble adhesion molecules in sera and BAL fluid of individuals infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: T-lymphocytic alveolitis and increased levels of interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (CD25)-bearing T cells in the BAL fluid (BALF) of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers have been reported. Several chemokines and adhesion molecules may contribute to the accumulation of T lymphocytes in the lungs of HTLV-1 carriers. To clarify the correlation between adhesion molecules and HTLV-1-associated pulmonary disorders, we compared the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets and soluble adhesion molecules, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), in BALF and peripheral blood, between HTLV-1 carriers and noninfected healthy subjects. DESIGN: Flow cytometric analysis with monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface antigens was used to identify T-lymphocyte subsets in BALF samples from HTLV-1 carriers (n = 13) and noninfected healthy control subjects (n = 10). The levels of various soluble adhesion molecules in serum and in BALF were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Higher percentages of CD3+ cells, CD3-expressing human leukocyte antigen-DR antigen, and CD3+CD25+ cells were detected in the BALF of HTLV-1 carriers than in that of noninfected control subjects. The concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sL-selectin, SE- selectin, and sP-selectin in the sera of patients were significantly higher than those in noninfected healthy control subjects. The concentration of sICAM-1 in the BALF of patients was significantly higher than that in noninfected healthy control subjects, and the concentration of sICAM-1 correlated well with the percentage of CD3+CD25+ cells. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of adhesion molecules in the sera of and sICAM-1 in the BALF of HTLV-1 carriers were significantly higher than those in noninfected individuals, and the concentration of sICAM-1 correlated well with the percentage of CD3+CD25+ cells in BALF. Our results suggest a possible interaction between activated T cells bearing CD25 and soluble adhesion molecules, especially sICAM-1, which may contribute to the pulmonary involvement in HTLV-1 carriers.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

BAL and serum IgG levels in healthy asymptomatic HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the increased susceptibility to bacterial infection in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients is associated with decreased total IgG or IgG2 levels in lung epithelial lining fluid. BACKGROUND: A decrease in lung IgG levels or subtypes has been proposed as contributing to the increased risk of bacterial lung infections in HIV-infected patients. Previous studies measuring lung lavage IgG concentrations have been inconsistent. METHODS: Twenty-three HIV patients and 25 control subjects underwent BAL. Both patient groups were of similar age, and had similar pulmonary function studies and body mass index. Smokers were equally represented in both groups, and the majority of subjects in both groups were male. Total IgG and IgG2 levels in lavage fluid were assayed in both cohorts and compared using a two-tailed Student's t test. RESULTS: The lung lining fluid IgG level in HIV-infected patients was 0.19 +/- 0.13 microg/microg of protein (mean +/- SD) vs 0.11 +/- 0.09 microg/microg of protein in control subjects (p < 0.05). The IgG(2) level in HIV patients was 0.034 +/- 0.038 microg/microg of protein and 0.014 +/- 0.01 microg/microg of protein in control subjects (p = 0.054). Lavage IgG levels reflected serum IgG values (correlation coefficient, 0.56; p < 0.001) but did not correlate with lung immunoglobulin-producing cells. CONCLUSIONS: The increased susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals is neither explained by depressed total IgG levels nor a deficiency in IgG(2) levels in the lungs. The strong correlation between serum and lavage IgG levels suggests that lavage IgG derives from serum.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Plasma and BAL fluid concentrations of antimicrobial peptides in patients with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the roles of human alpha-defensin (HAD), human beta-defensin (HBD)-1, and HBD-2, novel antimicrobial peptides, in patients with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI). PATIENTS: The study included 25 patients (10 men) with MAI who visited our hospital between June 1998 and August 1999. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In patients with pulmonary MAI, we measured HAD and HBD-1, and HBD-2 levels in plasma and in BAL fluid (BALF) by radioimmunoassay. Plasma concentrations of HAD and HBD-2 in those patients were higher than those in control subjects, whereas HBD-1 levels were similar to those in the control subjects. High levels of HAD and HBD-2, but not HBD-1, also were observed in the BALF of MAI patients. There was a positive correlation between HAD and interleukin (IL)-8 concentrations in the BALF of patients with MAI. BALF HBD-2 concentrations also correlated positively with those of plasma HBD-2 and BALF IL-1 beta in MAI patients. Patients with cavity formation on the chest roentgenogram had higher HAD and HBD-2 levels in their BALF than those of patients without cavity formation. Treatment with clarithromycin combined with two or three other antibiotics, including ethambutol, rifampicin, ofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin, for at least 6 months resulted in a significant fall in plasma HBD-2 concentrations in responders, but not in nonresponders. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that HAD and HBD-2 may participate in host defense and local remodeling of the respiratory tract in patients with MAI and that plasma HBD-2 levels may be a useful marker of disease activity in patients with pulmonary MAI.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

High concentrations of beta-chemokines in BAL fluid of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: T cells are important cellular components of bronchial inflammation in diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). beta-Chemokines such as RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) and macrophage inflammatory peptide (MIP)-1alpha are closely related to the migration of inflammatory cells into the lung. In this study, we investigate the contribution of beta-chemokines to the accumulation of T cells in the lungs of patients with DPB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determined the levels of beta-chemokines in BAL fluid (BALF) and the correlation between these levels and T-cell subsets in BALF of 23 patients with DPB and 16 healthy subjects by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Percentages of CD3+ human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+, CD8+, and CD8+HLA-DR+ cells in BALF of patients were significantly higher than in the control BALF. The absolute number of CD8+HLA-DR+ cells was also higher in BALF of patients than in the control BALF (p < 0.0001). Phenotypic analysis of CD4+ cells in BALF showed a similar percentage of CD4+CD45RA+ cells and CD4+CD29+ cells in patients and normal subjects. The concentrations of RANTES and MIP-1alpha in BALF of patients with DPB were significantly higher than in BALF of normal subjects (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the absolute number or percentage of CD8+HLA-DR+ cells and MIP-1alpha concentration in BALF. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the interaction between activated CD8+ T cells and MIP-1alpha may contribute to the pathogenesis of DPB.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Antioxidant and antiprotease status in peripheral blood and BAL fluid after cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) triggers systemic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic and oxygenation management can affect the outcome of patients after cardiac surgery. We investigated the influence of oxidant/antioxidant and protease/antiprotease imbalance during the course of systemic and pulmonary inflammation. METHODS: In a study of 61 patients, we measured the intracellular thiol concentration, the intracellular activity of cathepsins and elastase, and the concentrations of secreted elastase, soluble alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (alpha(1)-PI), and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI). Peripheral blood and BAL fluid (BALF) were obtained preoperatively and 2 h after CPB. RESULTS: A post-CPB depletion of thiol was found in blood granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes, as well as BALF lymphocytes and macrophages. The degree of postoperative depletion correlated with PO(2) and blood glucose levels during CPB. Concomitant reduction of FEV(1) showed positive correlation with thiol depletion of blood monocytes and granulocytes. Elastase and cathepsin activities were increased in blood cells but not in lymphocytes or macrophages from BALF. The concentrations of secreted elastase were significantly increased in blood plasma but not in BALF. Enhanced antiprotease (alpha(1)-PI, SLPI) concentrations were measured in BALF but not in peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response of the intra-alveolar compartment is clearly distinguishable from systemic inflammation. CPB causes a differentiated impairment of the antioxidant defense system as well as a protease/antiprotease imbalance in blood and BALF. Oxygenation under circumstances of CPB and concomitant pulmonary disease, as well as blood glucose metabolism, influence the antioxidative defense. Individual perioperative management of blood glucose and oxygenation could improve cellular defense systems in the peripheral blood and BALF and therefore result in a more favorable patient outcome.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2002

Elevated levels of alpha-defensins in plasma and BAL fluid of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of neutrophil peptides named alpha-defensins in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with TB and 25 healthy subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Concentrations of alpha-defensins (human neutrophil peptide [HNP]-1, HNP-2, and HNP-3) were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma and BAL fluid (BALF). Concentrations of alpha-defensins were significantly higher in plasma and BALF of patients with TB than in healthy subjects. In BALF of patients with TB, the concentration of alpha-defensins correlated positively with the levels of interleukin 8, and higher concentrations of alpha-defensins in BALF were also detected in patients with cavitary lesions. There was an inverse relationship between plasma alpha-defensins and FEV(1)/FVC ratio before treatment, and between plasma concentrations of alpha-defensins before treatment and the improvement in percentage of vital capacity after treatment. Plasma alpha-defensin concentrations returned to the normal range after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that alpha-defensins released from neutrophils may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TB, and that plasma alpha-defensin concentration may be a useful marker of disease severity and deterioration of pulmonary function.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2002

Shifts of T4/T8 T lymphocytes from BAL fluid and peripheral blood by clinical grade in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the shifts of T4/T8 lymphocytes from BAL fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood by the clinical grade of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), which is determined by factors such as extent of pulmonary involvement, fever, and loss of body weight. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to explore these questions, BALF was collected from 45 patients presenting with active pulmonary TB and 14 healthy control subjects. The percentages for T-lymphocyte subpopulations, including CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD3(+) T cells, were measured using two-color flow cytometry. RESULTS: A higher percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes, with a relatively lower percentage of CD3(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes, was revealed for the patients with a higher grade of pulmonary TB, compared to patients with a lower grade of pulmonary TB, resulting in an increased BALF C4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. By contrast, a higher percentage of CD3(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes with a relatively low percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes was demonstrated for these patients with a higher grade of pulmonary TB, resulting in a decreased peripheral blood CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that compartmentalization of the CD4(+) T lymphocytes in the infected lungs may occur for patients with higher grades of pulmonary TB.

Adult↗