American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 1997
Empyema thoracis and lung abscess caused by viridans streptococci.
We retrospectively studied the bacteriology and clinical features of empyema thoracis and lung abscess caused by viridans streptococci in 72 patients seen from January 1984 to September 1996. A total of 76 strains of viridans streptococci were isolated, of which the most common isolates were Streptococcus constellatus (21 strains), S. intermedius (17), and S. sanguis (10). Species belonging to the S. milleri group accounted for the majority (68%) of isolates. ⋯ Although all viridans streptococcal isolates were susceptible to penicillin, the patients in the study had a high mortality (21%). Univariate and multivariate analysis of data for patients with empyema alone (n = 53) showed a significantly increased risk of death in those with underlying malignancy (OR = 16.0, p = 0.023) and those with non-S. milleri-group isolates (OR = 3.72, p = 0.030). These data imply a strong clinical significance of viridans streptococci in the pathogenesis of empyema and lung abscess, as well as the need for species identification of viridans streptococci in patients with pleuropulmonary diseases.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 1997
The comet-tail artifact. An ultrasound sign of alveolar-interstitial syndrome.
Can ultrasound be of any help in the diagnosis of alveolar-interstitial syndrome? In a prospective study, we examined 250 consecutive patients in a medical intensive care unit: 121 patients with radiologic alveolar-interstitial syndrome (disseminated to the whole lung, n = 92; localized, n = 29) and 129 patients without radiologic evidence of alveolar-interstitial syndrome. The antero-lateral chest wall was examined using ultrasound. The ultrasonic feature of multiple comet-tail artifacts fanning out from the lung surface was investigated. ⋯ It was absent or confined to the last lateral intercostal space in 120 of 129 patients with normal chest X-ray (specificity of 93.0%). Tomodensitometric correlations showed that the thickened sub-pleural interlobular septa, as well as ground-glass areas, two lesions present in acute pulmonary edema, were associated with the presence of the comet-tail artifact. In conclusion, presence of the comet-tail artifact allowed diagnosis of alveolar-interstitial syndrome.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 1997
Case ReportsSmoker's lung transplanted to a nonsmoker. Long-term detection of smoker's macrophages.
Alveolar macrophages (AM) from smokers contain characteristic smoker's inclusion bodies within the cytoplasm as a result of ingestion of substances in the inhaled smoke. How long these smoking-related changes in the AM population can be seen after smoking cessation is largely unknown. We had the unique opportunity to investigate a 51-yr-old never-smoker after single lung transplantation (TX) for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema who received a donor's lung from a heavy cigarette smoker. ⋯ After 18 mo a first a decrease was seen, down to 78%, and after 2 yr a decrease to 59% was seen. After 3 yr, the smoker's AM had mostly disappeared, only 3% were still present. In conclusion, smoker's inclusions in AM may be detected for at least 2 yr after smoking has ceased, which is considerably longer than the estimated life span of the AM.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 1997
RhDNase I aerosol deposition and related factors in cystic fibrosis.
To identify factors influencing lung dose of aerosolized recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase I), we used gamma camera and filter techniques to measure deposition in 15 clinically stable patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) (five males and 10 females, age 6-31 yr, mean 16.9) who were on chronic daily therapy. Total and regional deposition were correlated with breathing pattern, pulmonary function, demographic factors, and disease severity. In addition, the effects of each patient's measured lung dose on pulmonary function was estimated by stopping the drug and observing changes in spirometry over a 2-wk follow-up period. ⋯ In conclusion, the deposition pattern of rhDNase I aerosols in patients with CF is largely influenced by respiratory physiology, which itself depends upon age and severity of lung disease. As the patients grow there is a decrease in upper airway deposition and more particles are presented to the lungs where those patients with more airways disease have enhanced pulmonary deposition. Upper airway deposition of rhDNase I is significant, especially in younger patients, and may be related to laryngeal side effects.
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From 1981 to 1987, 26 outbreaks of asthma caused by the inhalation of soybean dust, affecting a total of 688 individuals, were detected in Barcelona, Spain. Because only a small proportion of asthmatic individuals living in Barcelona expressed the epidemic phenotype, it is hypothesized that a genetically determined human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II factor could have played a role in the susceptible individuals. Accordingly, we studied the distribution of both HLA-DR and HLA-DQ in soybean epidemic asthmatic patients. ⋯ The combination of two genes from among the DRB1*05-05, DRB1*05-06, and DRB1*06-06 genes was present in epidemic asthmatic subjects only. No association with an HLA-DQB1 allele could be observed. Genetic predisposition could contribute to the response of some asthmatic patients to exposure to soybean dust, having led to their being affected during the epidemics of asthma in Barcelona.