Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of death in the elderly. The age-related increase in comorbid illnesses plays a part but the effect of aging on the immune response may be equally important. We aimed to evaluate patients with CAP for evidence of a muted response to infection in elderly patients admitted to hospital compared with a younger patient group. ⋯ Age does not diminish the severity of illness scores in patients with CAP. There was no blunting of the systemic cytokine response with advanced age in this study.
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Case Reports
A case of hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic cough successfully treated with imatinib.
Chronic cough is caused by a wide variety of disease conditions, including asthma, rhino-sinusitis and gastro-oesophageal reflux. We describe the case of a 42-year-old man with hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic dry cough. The cough did not respond to inhaled corticosteroid or leucotriene receptor antagonists. ⋯ Administration of imatinib resulted in complete resolution of eosinophilia and cough, without the use of anti-asthma drugs. Analysis of RNA from this patient demonstrated expression of the Fip1-like 1/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (FIP1L1-PDGFRA) fusion gene. The myeloproliferative variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome may cause chronic intractable cough, and a trial of imatinib treatment may be warranted.
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Infection with rhinovirus (RV) is the most common trigger for acute asthma and COPD. The aim of this study was to characterize the variability in the response of primary bronchial epithelial cells to infection with several strains of RV. ⋯ Considerable diversity exists in the response to RV strains, especially between minor and major group RV. The impaired IFN-beta response in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells may make them particularly susceptible to minor group RV.
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In order to obtain information on the clinical application of bronchoscopy in Japan, the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy (JSRE) conducted a postal survey. ⋯ The preparation for, and practice of, bronchoscopy varied greatly between respondents. Diagnostic bronchoscopy was well tolerated and safe. Therapeutic procedures did not appear to be practised widely or frequently.
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Review Case Reports
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with pulmonary involvement: a case report and review of the literature.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a viral infection that usually affects the upper airways. Although it can spread throughout the respiratory tract, involvement of the lung parenchyma is quite rare. ⋯ CT and reconstructed images were obtained. The literature was also reviewed and radiographic features of RRP with lung involvement are summarized.