Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive disease, characterized by irreversible airflow limitation, with a partially reversible component. The pathological abnormalities of COPD are associated with lung inflammation, imbalances of proteinase and antiproteinase, and oxidative stress, which are induced by noxious particles and gases in susceptible individuals. The physiological changes of COPD are mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, airflow limitation, pulmonary hyperinflation, gas exchange abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and systemic effects. The airflow limitation principally results from an increase in the resistance of the small conducting airways and a decrease in pulmonary elastic recoil due to emphysematous lung destruction. This article provides a general overview of the pathophysiology of COPD. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 5-13)
Background : Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by smoke-related, gradually progressive, fixed airflow obstructions. However, some studies suggested that a reversible bronchial obstruction is common in chronic obstructive lung disease. Such reversibility persists despite the continued treatment with aerosolized bronchodilators and it appears to be related to the diminution in symptoms. The isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is defined as a remarkable increase in the FVC in response to the administration of a bronchodilator whereas the FEV1 remains unchanged. This has been suggested in patients with severe emphysema. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the response to a bronchodilator and the severity of an airflow obstruction in COPD patients using the GOLD classification. Methods : This study examined 124 patients with an airway obstruction. The patients underwent spirometry, and the severity of the airflow obstruction was classified by GOLD. The response groups were categorized by an improvement in the FVC or FEV1 > 12%, and each group was analyzed. Results : Most subjects were men with a mean age of 65.9±8.5 years. The mean smoking history was 41.26±20.1 pack years. The isolated volume response group had relatively low FEV1 and FVC values compared with the other groups. (p<0.001) Conclusion : In this study, an isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is a characteristic of a severe airway obstruction, which is observed in patient with a relatively poorer baseline lung function. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 23-29)
Background : Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia, and it induces apop tosis in a variety of solid tumor cell lines including non-small cell lung cancer cells. However, nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can enhance tumor response to chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation. It was previously demonstrated that a combination treatment with As2O3 and sulindac induces the apoptosis of NCI-H157 human lung carcinoma cells by activating the caspase cascade. This study aimed to determine if a combination treatment augmented its apoptotic potential through other pathways except for the activation of the caspase cascade. Material and Methods : The NCI-H157 cells were treated with As2O3, sulindac and antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The cell viability was measured by a MTT assay, and the level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation was monitored fluorimetrically using a scopoletin-horse radish peroxidase (HRP) assay. Western blotting and mitochondrial membrane potential transition analysis were performed in order to define the mechanical basis of apoptosis. Results : The viability of the cells was decreased by a combination treatment of As2O3 and sulindac, and the cells were protected using antioxidants in a dose-dependent manner. The increased H2O2 generation by the combination treatment was inhibited by antioxidants. The combination treatment induced changes in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as the expression of the Bcl-2 family proteins, and increased cytochrome c release into the cytosol. However, the antioxidants inhibited the effects of the combination treatment. Conclusion : Combination treatment with As2O3 and sulindac induces apoptosis in NCI-H157 human lung carcinoma cells via ROS generation with a mitochondrial dysfunction. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 30-38)
Background : Even though it has been suggested that low-colony, scotochromogen nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are usually contaminants and not true pathogens, evidence for this hypothesis has not been provided. This study investigated the colony characteristics, organism identification, and clinical significance of low-colony scotochromogen. Methods : The laboratory cultured 6,898 respiratory clinical specimens for an examination of mycobacteria over a three-month period. A low-colony count was arbitrarily defined as ≤ 20 colonies. This study analyzed the recovery rate of the mycobacteria, the number of colonies and their gross characteristics, and their clinical significance. PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was carried out to identify the NTM species. NTM pulmonary disease was defined according to the American Thoracic Society. Results : A total of 6,898 respiratory specimens for mycobacterium were cultured. Of these, 263 (3.8%) grew NTM, and 382 (5.5%) grew M. tuberculosis. Of the 263 cultured NTM specimens, 124 (47.1%) were scotochromogens. The smear-positive rate was significantly lower in these scotochromogens (4.8%) than in the non-scotochromogens (23.7%) (p<0.05). The most common isolates were M. gordonae (83/102, 81.4%) in the scotochromogens, and MAC (52/121, 43.0%) in the non-scotochromogens. Even though three out of 113 patients with a low-colony scotochromogen has been diagnosed with NTM pulmonary disease, the isolated scotochromogen was not considered to be the cause of the NTM disease but was just a contaminant. Conclusion : In this study, the most common isolate of a low-colony count scotochromogen was M. gordonae, which appeared to be contaminants and not true pathogens. Greater efforts in the quality control of a mycobacterium laboratory are needed in cases where there is a high recovery rate of low-colony count scotochromogen. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 39-46)
Background : Chlamydia pneumoniae is a clinically important pathogen, the diagnosis of such infection being based mainly on serology. Microimmunofluorescence (MIF) is the current standard diagnostic method, but is subjective and time-consuming, so the authors tested the serology of chronic cough patients using an EILSA method for the Chlamydial antibody, which is a more objective method, and compared the results with those of the standard method. Method : Thirty-five patients, who visited Kangwon National University Hospital between August 2003 and July 2004, were evaluated. A MIF and ELISA tests were used to determine C. pneumoniae antibody titers. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The Spearman rank correlation test was used for data analysis. Results : Sensitivities of ELISA for IgG, IgA and IgM, as judged by MIF, were 84.0, 84.0 and 40.0% and the specificities were 60.0, 60.0 and 96.7%, respectively. Three patients were Chlamydia PCR positive. Conclusion : ELISA can be a useful tool for studying the seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae. However, further studies will be required prior to its clinical use. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 47-52)
Background : The clinical results of a Natural stent in patients with a benign tracheobronchial stenosis were examined by comparing the clinical outcomes and complications of those patients who underwent Dumon and Natural stenting in the management of benign airway stenosis. Methods : The medical records of 94 patients (39 Dumon and 55 Natural stent) with a benign tracheobronchial stenosis were reviewed and analyzed. Results : Post-tuberculous stenosis was the leading indication for airway stenting (74%), which was followed by post-intubation stenosis (21%). After intervention, the dyspnea had improved among those patients who underwent Dumon (90%) and Natural (86%) stenting. After stabilizing the dyspnea, the stent could be successfully removed in half of the patients who underwent both Dumon (54%) and Natural (49%) stenting. During the 42 month follow-up period, the complication rate was similar in those patients who underwent Dumon and Natural stenting: migration (46% vs 53%), granulation tissue formation (36% vs 49%), mucostasis (21% vs 16%) and restenosis (51% vs 36%). Conclusion : The clinical results of Natural airway stent was similar to those of Dumon stent in the management of benign tracheobronchial stenosis. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 62-68)
Background : According to the 2002 consensus report of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was classified as biopsy proven or probable IPF. Probable IPF is defined as those with distinctive features that allow for a confident diagnosis of IPF/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) within an appropriate clinical setting. The determination of the clinical course of probable IPF, as diagnosed by the ATS/ERS criteria, was studied. Methods : Between March 1995 and August 2002, 36 patients with probable IPF, from two tertiary referral hospitals, were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment efficacy of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results : The mean age of the subjects was 65 ± 6 years. The one and 3 year survival rates were 82.4 and 50.3%, respectively, and a median survival period of 42.0 months. The total cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage was higher in the death than the survival group (p<0.05). No survival benefits were found in the cytoxan and steroid treatment groups compared with other treatment groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that the clinical course of probable IPF may be similar to that of biopsy-proven UIP. However, atypical patients must undergo an open lung biopsy for confirmation of the diagnosis. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 77-85)
Goodpasture’s syndrome is a disease that is characterized by hemoptysis, anemia, and glomerulonephritis with renal failure. Goodpasture reported a case of a young man who expired as a result of a pulmonary hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis at the recovery phase after an influenza infection in 1919. In 1958, Stanton et al. described a combined case of these two diseases as Goodpasture’s syndrome. Since then, antiglomerular basement membrane antibody(anti-GBM Ab) has been confirmed to play an important role in the mechanism of this syndrome, and it was reported that this syndrome was an autoimmune disease. The triad of alveolar hemorrhage, glomerulonephritis and circulating anti-GBM Ab forms the basis of a diagnosis of Goodpasture’s syndrome. When patients are affected by disease, the relief of symptoms can be accomplished by eliminating the anti-GBM Ab from the circulatory system through hemodialysis, plasmapheresis and immunoabsorption. However, the patients usually die from a massive pulmonary hemorrhage when the diagnosis or treatment is delayed. The incidence of Goodpasture’s syndrome is common in the western world, but it is extremely rare in Korea with only five cases being reported. In three of these cases, pulmonary hemorrhage and renal failure was the initial manifestation. Therefore, hemodialysis or plasmapheresis were absolutely essential treatments. We report a case of Goodpasture’s syndrome in Korea with a normal renal function. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 86-92)
Intraocular tumors are uncommon and an intraocular metastatic carcinoma is extremely rare. An intraocular metastasis in adults most often originates from the breast or the lung. An intraocular lesion may be the first presentation of cancer and a search should be made to locate the primary tumor. To our knowledge, an intraocular metastasis of a bronchioloaveolar carcinoma has not reported in Korea. We report a case of a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma presenting with the initial symptom of a unilateral visual disturbance due to an intraocular metastasis. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 93-96)
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by a sustained eosinophilia of 1,500/mm3 or more in the absence of any known causes or the signs and symptoms of organ involvement. We report a 64-year-old man with HES initially presenting with involvement of the liver and bone marrow. Despite controlling the eosinophilia by corticosteroid, he developed a cerebral infarction and later progressive interstitial pneumonia. Brain angiography revealed a severe stenosis of the proximal right internal carotid artery (ICA) and a complete obstruction of the intracranial ICA. An open lung biopsy revealed fibrosis and lymphoplasma cell infiltration without eosinophils, which were consistent with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 97-103)
A broncholith is a calcified mediastinal lymph node, which partially or completely erodes into the bronchial lumen, and is related to the late tissue response to healing of granulomatous pulmonary infections, most commonly histoplasmosis or tuberculosis. However, there have been a few reports on broncholithiasis caused by Aspergillus. We experienced a case of broncholithiasis caused by Aspergillus, with broncho-obstructive pneumonia and massive hemoptysis. A 39 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with right middle lobar pneumonia. On the fourth day following admission, massive hemoptysis developed, so an emergent bronchial artery embolization was performed. On the ninth day following admission, a broncholith on the lateral segmental bronchus of the right middle lobe was found by bronchoscopy, which was proved to be Aspergillus hypae with calcification on histological examination. After the simple bronchoscopic removal of the broncholith and empirical antibiotic therapy, the patient recovered without any complications. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 104-108)
Miliary tuberculosis is the most serious form of tuberculous disease, but is rarely complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When a patient with miliary tuberculosis initially presents with ARDS, the mortality is much higher. Therefore, the early detection of miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS is very important for the prognosis and survival of the patient. The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may be easy if the patient presents typical clinical manifestations associated with the characteristic pattern of miliary nodules on chest radiology. However, the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis when complicated with ARDS can be difficult due to the nonspecific radiologic patterns, such as diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. However, these nonspecific patterns are known as less likely findings of miliary tuberculosis. We experienced a pregnant woman with miliary tuberculosis, mimicking ARDS due to bilateral severe pneumonia. She was admitted, via the emergency room, with sudden onset of fever, chill, cough and dyspnea. The initial chest PA and HRCT showed diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. All bacteriological studies, including blood and sputum cultures, tuberculosis-PCR and serologic study for infectious disease were negative. However, the definite diagnosis of unusual miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS was confirmed from the radiological finding and transbronchial fiberoptic lung biopsy. We report this case, with a review of the literature. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 109-113)