Antisynthetase syndrome is an inflammatory myopathy frequently associated with pulmonary manifestations, especially interstitial lung diseases, and uncommonly pulmonary hypertension. In the context ...of a suggestive clinical and radiological picture, positive anti-RNA synthetase antibodies confirm the diagnosis. Anti-Jo1, anti-PL7, and anti-PL12 antibodies are the more commonly encountered. The presence of a number of extra-thoracic manifestations in association with pulmonary disease may suggest the diagnosis. These include: myalgia or muscular deficit, Raynaud's phenomenon, polyarthritis, fever, mechanics hands. Serum creatine kinase levels are usually increased. Electromyogram, muscular magnetic resonance imaging or muscle pathology are not mandatory to make the diagnosis. There is a high variability in symptoms and severity, between patients but also during the course of the disease in the same patient. The presence of an interstitial lung disease is a major prognostic factor and an indication for more intensive treatment, principally with systemic corticosteroids with or without immunosuppressive drugs. Improving respiratory physicians' knowledge of this disease, which is often revealed by its pulmonary manifestations, should help diagnosis, therapeutic management, and possibly prognosis.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis Jouneau, S; Kerjouan, M; Briens, E ...
Revue des maladies respiratoires
31, Issue:
10
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Alveolar proteinosis (AP) is a rare disease characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant components, which impairs gas exchange. AP is classified into three groups: auto-immune AP defined by ...the presence of plasma autoantibodies anti-GM-CSF, the most frequent form (90% of all AP); secondary AP, mainly occurring as a consequence of haematological diseases, or following on from toxic inhalation or infections, and genetic AP, which affects almost exclusively children. AP diagnosis is suspected where chest CT-scan demonstrates interstitial lung disease with a crazy paving aspect; and confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage, which has a milky appearance and contains periodic acid Schiff positive proteinaceous alveolar deposits. The use of surgical lung biopsy to confirm AP is less frequent nowadays. In this context, positive antibodies against GM-CSF indicates an auto-immune etiology of the AP. Concerning management, whole lung lavage is the gold standard therapy. In refractory AP, new treatments are available such as subcutaneous or inhaled GM-CSF supplementation, or rituximab infusions. The clinical course is unpredictable. Spontaneous improvement or even cure can occur, and the 5-year actuarial survival is 95%. The most frequent complications are infectious etiology.
Objective Macrophages may play a significant role in the initiating stages leading to chronic inflammation/infection in cystic fibrosis (CF), via an inability to act as a suppressor cell. In a ...previous study demonstrating impaired function of CF macrophage, we have shown high production of soluble CD14 (sCD14). The aim of the present work is to determine origin and function of sCD14 in blood monocyte-derived macrophages from stable adult CF patients. Methods To study origin, sCD14 is measured by ELISA in supernatant of macrophages from healthy subjects (non-CF) treated with PI-PLC or cholesterol. The involvement of sCD14 in inflammation, was investigated by analysis of NF-kB and caspase 1 pathways in non-CF macrophages treated by sCD14. Measurement of gene expression was done by qPCR and proteins were quantified by ELISA and Western blot. Results Treatment with PI-PLC increased sCD14 level in the supernatant of non-CF macrophages whereas cholesterol did not modified it. Furthermore high secretion of sCD14 from CF macrophages was decreased by an inhibitor of PI-PLC. Treatment with sCD14 increased pro-IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α expression resulting from NF-kB activation through IkBa phosphorylation, this effect was inhibited by NF-kB inhibitors. Also, activation of caspase 1 by cleavage of pro-caspase 1 allowed the secretion of mature IL-1β, inhibited by an inhibitor of caspase 1. However, inflammasome complex involved in caspase 1 activation remains to be determined. Conclusion This data show that origin of sCD14 is partly due to the action of lipases cutting the GPI tail that serves as a membrane anchor to CD14. Furthermore sCD14 have a role in chronic inflammation in CF.
Objective Oxidative stress, excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intense colonization of the respiratory tract by microorganisms are described in CF patients, leading to an influx ...in macrophages. This results in activation of NADPH oxidase that yields ROS, initiating the oxidative burst responsible for pathogen destruction. We showed that phagocytosis was altered in CF macrophages, yet oxidative status in this cell was not defined. The objective of this study is to draw a link between oxidative stress and plasma membrane integrity in CF macrophages, since lipid peroxidation is known to alter cell membrane. Methods Peripheral blood monocytes-derived macrophages were obtained from CF patients and healthy subjects. Plasma membrane fluidity was assessed with di4-ANEPPDHQ and oxidative status was measured with ROS indicating probes. Results In CF macrophages, membrane fluidity was increased whereas lipid peroxidation was diminished. Surprisingly, general oxidative status remained similar to the one observed in non-CF macrophages. Also, CF macrophages did not abolish chemically induced-oxidative stress. In non-CF macrophages, treatment with cholesterol slightly increased membrane fluidity whereas LPS treatment had no effect. Conclusion CF macrophages displayed an increased membrane fluidity associated with a decreased lipid peroxidation. This raises the hypothesis that membrane alteration in CF macrophages may be due to other mechanism than oxidative stress. Nevertheless, since the killing capacity of CF macrophage is defective, a deregulation of O•−2 production is very likely, suggesting alteration of NADPH oxidase or mitochondrial dysfunction.
The AIRBAg study screens for bronchial obstruction in dairy farmers. We present the preliminary results after one year.
A prospective screening study based on questionnaires and electronic ...mini-spirometry (Néo-6(®)) that includes a representative sample of dairy farmers from the departments of Morbihan and Île-et-Vilaine in Brittany. The dairy farmers had an occupational medicine appointment and, if they demonstrated at least one marker of possible bronchial obstruction (chronic cough, chronic bronchitis, dyspnoea, wheezing, FEV1/FEV6<0.8), they were referred to a pulmonologist. The data we present here were extracted from the occupational medicine appointments because the pulmonologists' appointments are still running.
Among the 277 dairy farmers included, 125 (45%) demonstrated "possible bronchial obstruction". The total score of the CAT questionnaire was higher in these farmers (9.1±6.2 versus 5.8±4.0; P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis markers of "possible bronchial obstruction" were eczema, manual foddering and duration of mechanical straw litter spreading.
Occupational medicine appointments identified markers of "possible bronchial obstruction". We will have the complete results from AIRBAg study in 2015.
Light chain deposition disease is a rare clinical entity characterized by deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains in organs. The kidneys are almost always affected, while the lung ...manifestations that have been reported, including nodular or diffuse disease, especially cystic lesions, are unusual.
We report the case of a 60-year-old man with a diffuse infiltrative lung disease characterized by numerous apical cysts. The diagnosis of light chain deposition cystic lung disease was obtained by surgical lung biopsy. Light chain deposits in the salivary glands were the only extrapulmonary manifestation. Despite 12 chemotherapy cycles, the patient's lung function and radiological appearances worsened.
This is the fourth case describing a cystic lung disease due to light chain deposition in the literature. It highlights the need for comprehensive investigations so as not to miss this rare cause of cystic lung disease, which appears to be related to a primary pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder. The only treatment that appears to be effective is lung transplantation.
Hydroxyurea-induced pneumonia Girard, A; Ricordel, C; Poullot, E ...
Revue des maladies respiratoires
31, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Hydroxyurea is an antimetabolite drug used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders. Common adverse effects include haematological, gastrointestinal cutaneous manifestations, and fever. ...Hydroxyurea-induced pneumonitis is unusual.
A female patient was treated with hydroxyurea for polycythemia vera. She was admitted 20 days after commencing treatment with a high fever, productive cough, clear sputum and nausea. A chest CT-scan showed diffuse ground-glass opacities. Microbiological investigations were negative. The symptoms disappeared a few days after discontinuation of the drug and rechallenge led to a relapse of symptoms.
Our case and 15 earlier cases of hydroxyurea-induced pneumonitis are reviewed. Two patterns of this disease may exist: an acute febrile form occurring within 1 month of introduction of hydroxyurea and a subacute form without fever. Even if uncommon, one should be aware of this complication of hydroxyurea.
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