Objective To determine the airway wall thickness at the segmental and subsegmental levels in patients with bronchial asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis ( EB) by high resolution CT scanning,and evaluate its relationship with airway hyperresponsiveness. Methods High resolution CT scanning was performed in 14 subjects with asthma,15 subjects with EB, 15 subjects with cough variant asthma ( CVA) ,and 14 healthy volunteers. Total airway and lumen diameter, total airway cross sectional area and lumen area which corrected by body surface area ( BSA) were measured. The percentage of airway wall area to total airway cross sectional area ( WA% ) and wall thickness to airway diameter ratio ( T/D) were calculated for the right upper lobe apical segmental bronchus ( RB1) and all airways clearly visualized with a transverse diameter of 1-6 mm. Results T/D/BSA and WA% in the asthma patients were all significantly higher than those in the subjects with EB, CVA and healthy volunteers. T/D/BSA and WA% in the EB patients were significantly higher than the healthy volunteers, and similar with the CVA patients. Al /BSA in the patientswith asthma and CVA was less than the subjects with EB and the healthy volunteers. However, Al /BSA in the EB patients was similar with the healthy volunteers. Conclusions The airway wall thickness and remodeling can be measured and assessed by high resolution CT. Airway wall thickness and remodeling inEB patients are milder than asthma patients, which may be associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that presents in asthma but not in EB.
Objective To study the effect of glucocorticoid-containing triple therapy on the acute exacerbation frequency of patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with different blood eosinophil percentage (EOS%). Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients who were admitted to the hospital with moderate to severe COPD from January 2020 to March 2020 in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in this hospital were selected as the research subjects, and the patients were divided into group A according to EOS% (EOS%<2%) and B group (EOS%≥2%). Then the A and B groups were randomly divided into four subgroups A1, A2 and B1, B2, and the patients in groups A1 and B1 were treated with dual long-acting bronchodilation. The medication for the patients in groups A2 and B2 was a triple preparation containing glucocorticoids. Namely A1 group (EOS%<2%, dual therapy), A2 group (EOS%<2%, triple therapy), B1 group (EOS%≥2%, dual therapy), B2 group (EOS%≥2%, triple therapy). The patients were instructed to take medication regularly as in hospital after discharge. After discharge, patients were followed up by telephone every two weeks for a period of one year. The number of acute exacerbations, the change of forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of the expected value (FEV1%pred) and the incidence of pneumonia were compared between group A and group B during the follow-up period of one year. Results In the patients with EOS%≥2%, triple therapy reduced the number of acute attacks by 40% during treatment compared with dual therapy patients (average 0.875 vs. 1.471 times per patient per year, P=0.0278). While in the patients with EOS%<2%, it was reduced by 4% (1.080 vs. 1.125 times, P=0.3527). In the same use of glucocorticoid-containing triple preparations, the number of acute exacerbations in the patients with EOS%≥2% during medication was 19% less than that of the patients with EOS%<2% (an average of 0.875 to 1.080 times per patient per year, P=0.0462). Regardless of EOS%≥2% or <2%, there was no significant difference in the changes of FEV1%pred between triple therapy and double therapy patients before and after treatment (P>0.05). Regardless of EOS%≥2% or <2%, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of pneumonia between patients with triple therapy and double therapy during medication (P>0.05). Conclusion Inhaled glucocorticoid triple therapy is suitable for moderate to severe COPD patients with high percentages of blood eosinophils.
To investigate the diagnosis, pathological characteristics and clinical treatment of gastric eosinophilic granuloma (GEG). Twenty two cases with GEG diagnosed by operation and pathology were analyzed. In this series 14 cases subjected to partial gastrectomy, 6 cases to subtotal gastrectomy, 1 case to total gastrectomy, and 1 case to radical gastrectomy. After 1-10 years of follow-up, 1 case, who was combined with gastric carcinoma at the first operation, died of the recurrence and extensive metastasis of gastric carcinoma on the 4th year after operation, 2 cases were reoperated on the 2nd or 6th year respectively after operation for forward complication, and the others recoverd well. The authors consider that gastrofiberscopic diagnosis is key to lessen the preoperative misdiagnosis, and the scope of dissection mainly depends on the size and type of focus. It is no need for extensive dissection.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Aspergillus fumigatus on airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness in rat model of chronic asthma. MethodsWistar rats were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections with ovalbumin (OVA) followed by chronic inhalation of nebulized OVA or physiologic saline. Rats were administered via the airways with placebo or aerosolized Aspergillus fumigatus spores suspension mimicking chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure. The Penh after acetylcholine provocation was detected using WBP system. The concentrations of IL-5 and eotaxin in BALF were measured by ELISA. The extents of eosinophil infiltration were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained(HE) and Wright-Giemsa stained BALF cells smear. ResultsAspergillus fumigatus worsened allergic airway inflammation in OVA-challenged rats,as evidenced by enhanced bronchial responsiveness to inhaled acetylcholine and increased bronchial eosinophilia. Elevated airway eosinophilia corresponded with higher levels of IL-5 and eotaxin in the Aspergillus Fumigatus exposure group. Aspergillus fumigatus,however,did not affect bronchial responses,numbers of eosinophils,IL-5 and eotaxin levels in saline challenged mice. ConclusionThe Results show that chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure aggravates eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma rats by enhancing IL-5 and eotaxin production. Aspergillus fumigatus also increases bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma rats.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of interleukin-25 (IL-25) and its receptor during allergen challenge test in allergic asthmatics as well as its underlining mechanism.MethodsFifteen allergic asthmatic patients with dual response in allergen challenge test were enrolled and blood samples were collected before and after challenge test. The expression levels of IL-25 receptor on the surface of eosinophils, plasma and intracellular IL-25 levels were measured by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Besides, the function of eosinophils from these patients was evaluated through the expression of type 2 cytokines, degranulation and chemotaxis after stimulation with IL-25.ResultsUpon allergen challenge, the expression of IL-17RB on the surface of eosinophils were increased from (7 426±2 824)/106 white blood cells to (19 446±5 593)/106 white blood cells (P<0.001). The expression of IL-17RA/RB on eosinophils were significantly increased from (4 508±1 360)/106 white blood cells to (9 025±3 166)/106 white blood cells (P<0.001). The plasma level of IL-25 increased from (650±45) pg/ml to (851±43) pg/ml (7 hours after allergen challenge) and (813±56) pg/ml (24 hours after allergen challenge) (P<0.001). The intracellular IL-25 expression of eosinophils was also upregulated from (10 398±1 909)/106 white blood cells to (147 684±46 222)/106 white blood cells (P<0.05). In vitro study, IL-25 (1 ng/ml) stimulated eosinophils for 2 hours promoted its expression of peroxidase [(12.5±4.2) ng/ml compared to control (1.26±0.4) ng/ml, P<0.05). The intracellular expression of IL-5 and IL-13 in eosinophils were also increased after stimulated by IL-25. IL-25 (1 pg/ml) stimulation compared to control could increase eosinophil migration in eotaxin [(36±3) vs. (69±5), P<0.05).ConclusionIL-25 and its receptor play a critical role in eosinophilic aggregation, activation and mobilization during allergic inflammation in allergic asthmatics.
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between peripheral blood eosinophil (EOS) count and smoking history, some inflammatory indicators, lung function, efficacy of ICS, risk of respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease, risk of acute exacerbation within 1 year, readmission rate and mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods Retrospective analysis of the baseline clinical data of 816 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from January 1,2019 to December 31,2021. The patients were divided into EOS ≥ 200 cells / μL (High Eosinophi, HE) group and EOS<200 cells / μL (low Eosinophi, LE) group according to whether the peripheral blood EOS was greater than 200 cells / μL at admission. Peripheral venous blood data (including blood eosinophil count, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage), blood gas analysis value, lung function index and medication regimen of all patients were collected, and the efficacy of ICS was recorded. The patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the acute exacerbation and readmission rate, and the mortality rate was followed up for 1 year and 2 years. Results Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in HE group were positively correlated with EOS value (P<0.05), and smoking was more likely to increase EOS value. HE group was more sensitive to ICS. The risk of acute exacerbation in HEA group was higher than that in LE group. ICS could reduce the rate of acute exacerbation in HE group. EOS value in LE group was inversely proportional to FEV1 / FVC and MMEF values (P<0.05). The risk of chronic pulmonary heart disease in LE group was higher than that in HE group. The 2-year mortality rate in HE group was higher than that in LE group. Conclusions Peripheral blood EOS count is correlated with some inflammatory indicators, acute exacerbation risk, and lung function. ICS can improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of patients with higher EOS count.
ObjectiveTo explore the cytologic profile of induced sputum and its relationship with the treatment response in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsSixty-five treatment-naive patients with COPD and 26 normal subjects were recruited for the study. Sputums induced by the inhalation of hypertonic saline were collected, and the associations of differential cell counting were analyzed with pulmonary function, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (SGRQ) before and after the treatment with inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2-agonist. ResultsThe cell percentages of neutrophil (Neu), macrophage, eosinophil (Eos) and lymphocyte in induced sputum of the COPD patients were (86.24±15.04)%, (5.75±6.96)%, (4.71±4.79)%, and (1.30±1.09)%, respectively. The eosinophil percentage (Eos%) was≥3% in 31 patients (60.78%). The neutrophil percentage (Neu%) was inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percent of predicted value of FEV1 (FEV1% pred), forced vital capacity (FVC), and percent of predicted value of FVC (FVC% pred) (P < 0.01, respectively), and positively correlated with the SGRQ symptom score (r=0.304, P=0.034). The Eos% was inversely correlated with FEV1/FVC ratio (r=-0.399, P=0.004). The patients with Eos%≥3% improved significantly in FEV1 and symptom score (P < 0.05, respectively) than the patients with Eos% < 3%. ConclusionsAn eosinophilic airway inflammation is present in a subgroup of COPD. The Eos% is inversely correlated with pulmonary function and may be a predictive indicator of response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical characteristics and long term mortality of patients with eosinophilic and neutrophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations requiring hospital admission.MethodsA retrospective review of the clinical data and long-term follow up was performed for 510 patients with first diagnosis of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) requiring hospital admission between January 2015 and December 2016. The follow-up was completed in January 1, 2020. These patients were divided into three groups according to routine blood test: an eosinophilic exacerbation group, with peripheral blood eosinophils >2%; a neutrophilic exacerbation group, with peripheral blood neutrophils >65% or leukocytes >11×109/L; a paucigranulocytic exacerbation group, any case did not belong to the above two groups. The differences of clinical characteristics were compared among three groups. Cox regression model was used for analysis of independent risk factors of all-cause mortality of AECOPD patients.ResultsA total of 510 AECOPD patients were enrolled (180 eosinophilic, 273 neutrophilic and 57 paucigranulocytic, respectively). Compared with the neutrophilic exacerbation group, the eosinophilic exacerbation group had shorter time since onset of symptoms, the lower proportion of comorbid heart failure, the lower proportion of mechanical ventilation, dual antibiotics and systematic corticosteroid treatment, the shorter length of hospitalization and lower hospital mortality (all P<0.05). The average follow-up duration was 41 months for 485 AECOPD patients who completed long term follow-up. Compared with the eosinophilic exacerbation group, the neutrophilic exacerbation group was associated with a higher long-term mortality of AECOPD (HR=1.691, 95%CI 1.205 - 2.373, P=0.002).ConclusionCOPD patients with neutrophilic exacerbations have more serious clinical features and higher mortality than those with eosinophilic exacerbations.
Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia (PIE). Methods Patients who were diagnosed with PIE in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2004 to December 2013 were recruited and retrospectively analyzed. Data of etiology, clinical manifestation, imaging and pathological features were recorded. Results pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG) (n=2), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (n=7), Löffler syndrome (n=4), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) (n=16), and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) (n=19). There were 27 males and 21 females. 47.9% of the PIE patients were diagnosed as asthma and treated with regular treatment but had not been controlled well. PEG was characterized with wheeze and anhelation in clinical manifestations, unelevated blood eosinophil counts and percentage, significant small airway abnormalities in lung function, diffuse pneumonectasis in Chest CT, and appearance of eosinophil cells in alveole. EGPA shows dyspnea and cough in clinical manifestations, as well as other organs function damaged, unelevated blood eosinophil counts and percentage, significant FEV1/FVC and small airway abnormalities in lung function, tree-in-bud in Chest CT, appearance of eosinophilic granuloma outside blood vessels. Löffler syndrome also showed cough, shorter course of disease, normal lung function and diffusion. ABPA showed wheeze and cough, 31.3% of them with hemoptysis, normal blood eosinophil count, central bronchiectasis in Chest CT. CEP also showed dyspnea and cough. 21.1% of CEP patientshad chest pain, increasing sputum eosinophil percentage compare with blood eosinophil percentage, and small airway abnormalities in lung function. Conclusions Most of PIE patients are diagnosed as asthma but haven’t gotten well controlled under the regular anti-asthmatic treatment. Patients with PIE have increasing eosinophil counts and decreasing lung function. The diagnosis of PIE still depends on clinical manifestation, laboratory test, imaging and pathological examination.
ObjectiveTo evaluates the values of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in the treatment of chronic cough prospectively.MethodsSubjects with chronic cough were recruited from the outpatient clinic of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. All the patients accepted FENO tests, sputum cell counts, pulmonary function tests, bronchial provocation tests, serum IgE, cough symptom scores and Leicester Cough Questionnaire before and after treatment of 4 weeks.ResultsThere were 29 patients with cough variant asthma (CVA), 19 patients with eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) and 39 patients with other causes. The baseline FENO level of the subjects whose coughs were relieved after inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy of 4 weeks was (63±42) ppb, significantly higher than those with bad-response [(28±13) ppb, P<0.01]. The proportion of FENO decrease after ICS therapy was not only significantly related to the proportion of eosinophilic decrease (r=0.54, P<0.01), but also significantly related to the proportion of decrease of cough symptom scores (r=0.48, P<0.01). To distinguish the good responders from bad responders, the optimal baseline FENO cutoff value was 36 ppb, with sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 93%, positive predictive value of 94%, negative predictive value of 87%, accuracy of 83%.ConclusionsThere is a good relationship between the FENO decreasing levels after ICS therapy and the reliefs of cough symptoms in the CVA and EB patients. Chronic cough patients with FENO value more than 36 ppb are indicated to respond to ICS therapy.