Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0032285 (pneumonia)
 54,520 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

KL-6 is a mucinous glycoprotein expressed on Type 2 pneumonocytes, and serum levels of KL-6 are reported to be abnormally high in patients with interstitial pneumonia. A new assay kit for serum KL-6 (ED046) was used in the evaluation of patients with pneumonitis. To clarify whether KL-6 is a useful marker of pneumonitis activity, 649 subjects were studied, including 185 healthy controls, 187 patients with 3 types of interstitial lung diseases, and 277 patients with 4 types of non-interstitial lung diseases. The serum KL-6 level was significantly higher in the patients with pneumonitis (1285 +/- 1196 U/ml) than in the patients without pneumonitis (307 +/- 232 U/ml). The KL-6 level was also significantly higher in patients with clinically active pneumonitis (1708 +/- 1338 U/ml) than in those with inactive pneumonitis (820 +/- 796 U/ml) (p < 0.0001). Serum KL-6 levels correlated significantly with serum c-reactive protein, lactic dehydrogenase, and PaO2 values. These results suggest that the ED046 assay is useful for measuring KL-6 as a marker of pneumonitis activity.
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PMID:[Use of the the ED046 kit to analyze serum KL-6 in patients with pneumonitis]. 874 28

Group B streptococci (GBS) are the leading cause of serious bacterial infection in newborns. Early-onset disease is heralded by pneumonia and lung injury, and the lung may serve as a portal of entry for GBS into the bloodstream. To examine a potential role for GBS beta-hemolysin in lung epithelial injury, five wild-type strains varying in beta-hemolysin expression were chosen, along with five nonhemolytic (NH) and five hyperhemolytic (HH) variants of these strains derived by chemical or transposon mutagenesis. Monolayers of A549 alveolar epithelial cells were exposed to log-phase GBS or stabilized hemolysin extracts of GBS cultures, and cellular injury was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and trypan blue nuclear staining. Whereas NH strains produced no detectable injury beyond baseline (medium alone), hemolysin-producing strains induced LDH release from A549 cells in direct correlation to their ability to lyse sheep erythrocytes. HH strains were also associated with marked increases in trypan blue nuclear staining of A549 monolayers. The extent of LDH release produced by HH strains was significantly reduced in the presence of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, a known inhibitor of hemolysin and the major phospholipid component of human surfactant. Electron microscopic studies of A549 cell monolayers exposed to HH GBS mutants revealed global loss of microvillus architecture, disruption of cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes, and marked swelling of the cytoplasm and organelles. We conclude that GBS hemolysin expression correlates with lung epithelial cell injury and may be important in the initial pathogenesis of early-onset disease, particularly when pulmonary surfactant is deficient.
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PMID:Group B streptococcal beta-hemolysin expression is associated with injury of lung epithelial cells. 875 34

A 30 year old man developed lipoid pneumonia after an injection of lamp oil. In addition to "foamy" alveolar macrophages, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis showed an increased number of neutrophils. Moreover, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase activities were elevated. The increase seen in LDH activity both in serum and BAL fluid was accompanied by shifts in the isoenzyme pattern in similar directions for both fluids. These findings suggest a pulmonary source for the temporary serum as well as BAL fluid LDH increase. This case indicates the usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis as a probe to detect pulmonary injury caused by a pneumotoxicant and, probably, to monitor recovery or deterioration.
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PMID:BAL fluid LDH activity and LDH isoenzyme pattern in lipoid pneumonia caused by an intravenous injection of lamp oil. 894 93

In patients with AIDS, isolation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) from respiratory secretions is common. It is often found with other pathogens, which has led to debate regarding its role as a primary pulmonary pathogen. A retrospective investigation of patients with AIDS and CMV as a sole pulmonary isolate was performed in an attempt to describe their clinical presentation and course. All patients admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and with BAL or transbronchial biopsy (TBB) specimen positive for CMV between 1991 and 1994 were identified through a review of inpatient records. Inclusion criteria included positive CMV cultures from BAL, cytomegalic inclusion bodies from BAL or TBB, and thorough documentation of the absence of other pulmonary pathogens. Nine patients met the inclusion criteria for CMV pneumonitis. Seven were male and two were female, ages 26 to 44 years, and all had a history of opportunistic infections. Typical clinical presentation was characterized by increased respiratory rate, hypoxemia, and diffuse interstitial infiltrates. The mean CD4 count was 29.6 (+/- 22) cells per cubic millimeter, mean lactate dehydrogenase level was 414 (+/- 301) IU/L, and in seven patients in whom CMV antigen was measured it was greater than 50 positive cells per 200,000 WBCs. Three untreated patients died of respiratory failure and three had autopsy confirmation of CMV pneumonia. Five patients were treated with anti-CMV therapy for at least 2 weeks, and all demonstrated improvement in symptoms, oxygen saturation, and chest radiograph. At 3 months follow-up, all five patients were asymptomatic with no pulmonary symptoms. At 6 months follow-up, three of the five patients remained asymptomatic; the other two died of other opportunistic infections. In at least these nine patients, CMV represented a primary pulmonary pathogen. Patients who were treated responded quickly and were able to be discharged home from the hospital with marked improvement in their symptoms. We recommend that clinicians consider this diagnosis in the proper setting and consider treatment with anti-CMV therapy.
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PMID:Cytomegalovirus as a primary pulmonary pathogen in AIDS. 931 35

We encountered six patients with pneumonitis related to blended chinese traditional medicine (Kampo). The duration of treatment with kampo ranged from 14 to 110 days (mean: 38 days). The most common complaints were dyspnea, fever, and dry coughing. Fine crackles were heard at the bases of both lungs. Abnormal laboratory findings included high values of C-reactive protein and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in all patients, lactate dehydrogenase in 5 patients, and eosinophil count in 1 patient. Chest X-ray films and CT films revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular interstitial shadows with consolidation in both lung fields in 3 patients and pleural effusion in 1 patient. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done in 4 patients; examination of the lavage fluid showed lymphocyte alveolitis, either pure or associated with neutrophilia and eosinophilia in 3 patients. Inverted CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratios were found in 3 patients. Transbronchial lung biopsy was done in 4 patients and specimens from 3 of those 4 showed organizing pneumonitis with thickening of alveolar septa. Lymphocyte stimulation tests were positive in 4 patients. Discontinuation of the drug (2 patients) or administration of corticosteroids (4 patients) was followed by rapid improvement. Patients being treated with kampo preparations should be observed for signs and symptoms of drug-induced pneumonitis.
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PMID:[Six patients with pneumonitis related to blended Chinese traditional medicines]. 902 15

The purpose of this study was to gather additional evidence in irradiated rat lung on the relationship between annexin I and prostaglandin synthesis. The right hemithorax of the animal was exposed to a single dose of 0 or 30 Gy of X-rays, and the animals were killed 3 months postirradiation. Levels of annexin I and synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) were determined in lungs, in cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and in macrophages lavaged from those lungs. In addition, protein concentration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and macrophage count in BAL fluid obtained from irradiated lung were compared with that from sham-irradiated (0 Gy) lung. Levels of annexin I, the putative inhibitor of phospholipase A2, in lung and cell-free BAL fluid were decreased in samples from irradiated animals. By contrast, the level of annexin I in macrophages lavaged from irradiated lung was higher than that in macrophages from sham-irradiated lung. The irradiated lung produced nearly 3.5 times more prostacyclin than did the control lung. However, prostacyclin synthesis by macrophages lavaged from irradiated lung was no different than that of macrophages from sham-irradiated lung. Protein, LDH and macrophage number in BAL fluid from irradiated lungs were significantly higher than in corresponding specimens from sham-irradiated lungs. These data demonstrate that reduced levels of annexin I, as well as increased protein concentration, LDH activity and macrophage numbers in irradiated rat lung are reflected in BAL fluid. Therefore, information obtained from BAL fluid, but not from BAL macrophages, reflects lung status, and may serve as a minimally invasive index of radiation pneumonitis in this model. In irradiated lung, increased PGI2 synthesis coupled with a decreased annexin I level are consistent with the hypothesis of an inhibitory role of annexin I in prostaglandin metabolism. However, this hypothesis is not supported by findings in BAL macrophages, where increased annexin I concentration is not accompanied by a decrease in PGI2 production. In view of the latter findings, and a previous study from our laboratory demonstrating that phospholipase activity in irradiated rat lung is in fact decreased, despite the reduction in annexin I concentration and the hyperproduction of prostanoids, it would seem unlikely that annexin I negatively modulates prostaglandin synthesis via inhibition of phospholipase in this model.
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PMID:Annexin I concentration and prostacyclin production in rat lung and alveolar macrophages following irradiation. 905 17

Rhabdomyolysis is not common in the elderly. Two elderly patients with rhabdomyolysis and respiratory infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The first patient was a 71-year-old woman with bronchiectasis who admitted to our hospital due to pneumonia. The second patient was an 84-year-old man who was admitted because of appetite loss, fever, and a cough producing of yellowish sputum. In both patients, sputum cultures were positive for S. pneumoniae, but blood cultures were not. The serum creatine kinase levels peaked on the day of admission at levels ten to thirty times higher than fold above the upper limit of normal; the serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were 1.5 times higher than the upper limit of normal. The creatine kinase levels returned to normal 5 to 7 days after admission, treated with antibiotics and recovered from pneumonia. The cases of these two patients, along with those described in previous reports of rhabdomyolysis associated with pneumococcal pneumonia indicate that measuring the serum creatine kinase level is important in detecting rhabdomyolysis, especially in elderly patients with respiratory infection caused by S. pneumoniae, and detection may help to prevent renal failure.
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PMID:[Two elderly patients with Rhabdomyolysis and respiratory infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae]. 907 5

Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic organism that is a common cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. Its life cycle begins when cysts rupture and release sporozoites, which mature into trophozoites that eventually form cysts. The diagnostic methods for P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) have progressed from open lung biopsy to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and induced sputum analysis (ISA). Detection of P. carinii organisms is done with various stains that highlight sporozoites, trophozoites, or the cyst wall. Noninvasive, cost-effective methods to aid in the diagnosis of PCP have been proposed and include chest radiograph analysis, gallium scintigraphy, serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, CD4 lymphocyte counts, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analysis, and exercise hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurements. Some investigators propose empiric treatment of PCP to reduce the number of bronchoscopies performed. Most physicians prefer to make a definitive diagnosis of PCP to ensure appropriate therapy.
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PMID:Diagnostic strategies for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. 919 72

We studied the clinical characteristics of pneumonitis induced by Sho-saiko-to (SST). Of 94 cases reported to a drug maker, 72 were judged to be SST-induced pneumonitis (52 men and 20 women, mean age 63.7 years). Most patients took SST for chronic liver diseases due to infection with the hepatitis C virus. The mean duration of SST therapy before the onset of pneumonitis was 50.2 +/- 42.1 days. Most patients presented with coughing, dyspnea, and fever of acute onset. Chest X-ray films showed diffuse ground-glass shadows and infiltration. Abnormally high levels of C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase were common, as was hypoxia. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed abnormally high percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils and a low CD4/CD8 ratio. Although 64 of 72 patients survived after cessation of SST only or steroid therapy, 8 died of respiratory failure despite high-dose steroid therapy. Compared with patients who survived those who died were more likely to have an underlying lung disease, had been taking SST longer after the onset of pneumonitis, and had more severe hypoxemia.
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PMID:[Pneumonitis induced by the herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to in Japan]. 921 62

This study describes a short term inhalation bioassay in rats to predict the potential for inhaled particles to produce chronic lung disease in humans (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis). To validate the method, rats were exposed for 6 h or 3 days to various concentrations of two reference materials: (1) a known fibrogenic material (i.e., aerosolized alpha-quartz silica particles in the form of Berkeley Min-U-Sil (Pennsylvania Glass and Sand Company, Pittsburgh, PA), or (2) carbonyl iron (CI) particles, as a negative control. Cells and fluids from groups of sham and dust exposed animals were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and protein values were measured in BAL fluids at several times postexposure. Cells were identified, counted, and evaluated for viability. The lungs of additional exposed animals were processed for histopathology. Although particle deposition patterns for the two dusts were similar, brief exposures to silica particles produced a persistent pulmonary inflammatory response characterized by neutrophil recruitment at sites of particle deposition and consistently elevated biomarkers of cytotoxicity in BAL fluids. In addition, alveolar macrophage clearance functions were impaired. Progressive histopathologic lesions were observed within 1 mo after a 3-day exposure. Light and electron microscopy of silica exposed lung tissue revealed a chronically active pulmonary inflammatory response characterized by hyperplasia of Type II alveolar epithelial cells and the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into alveoli and interstitial compartments. The lesions were progressive, leading to the development of a multifocal, granulomatous-type pneumonitis within 2 mo postexposure. In contrast to the observed effects of silica, 3-day exposures to CI particles produced no significant adverse biochemical or histopathological effects on pulmonary tissues. These results demonstrate that short term, high dose inhalation exposures of silica produce effects similar to those previously observed using intratracheal instillation or chronic inhalation models and lend support to this method as a reliable short term bioassay for evaluating the pulmonary toxicity and mechanisms associated with exposure to new and untested respirable materials.
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PMID:Initiating the risk assessment process for inhaled particulate materials: development of short term inhalation bioassays. 924 94


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