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Open lung biopsy in patients with acute leukemia.

The results of open lung biopsy in 15 patients with acute leukemia, pulmonary infiltrates, neutropenia, and fever were reviewed. The patients averaged 26 hospital days of neutropenia and 20 hospital days of fever before open lung biopsy, and all patients received broad-spectrum antibacterial agents (mean 17 days) before open lung biopsy. Nine (67 percent) received amphotericin B prior to open lung biopsy (mean 22 days). Open lung biopsy yielded a specific clinically helpful diagnosis in six patients, but only two of these patients survived the hospitalization during which open lung biopsy was performed. Open lung biopsy detected fungus in four patients and leukemic infiltrates in two patients. Management was appropriately modified in these patients. In nine patients, a specific diagnosis of the pulmonary infiltrate was not obtained by open lung biopsy. Antimicrobial regimens were not changed substantially for these patients. In six patients, the results of open lung biopsy may have been misleading. Two patients had pulmonary fungal diseases at autopsy, undetected by open lung biopsy eight days and five weeks prior to death. Another patient had invasive aspergillosis and one had cytomegalovirus pneumonitis not detected by open lung biopsy. Two patients had false-positive preliminary histologic reports of pulmonary infection. On the basis of this experience, in this specific population of patients, open lung biopsy was often of little help in directing medical therapy or influencing clinical outcome.

Adolescent↗

Interstitial lung disease induced by endogenous Candida albicans.

We report on a 64-year old woman with an interstitial lung disease which had characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Severe febrile attacks with impairment of ventilation and diffuse poorly defined radiodensities and ground glass opacities on chest x-ray occured repeatedly. Laboratory data showed hypoxemia, leukopenia and circulating Candida albicans (C.a.)-antigen. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed an increase in neutrophils. Transbronchial biopsies showed lymphocytic alveolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans and epitheloid cell granulomas. IgG and IgA and the lymphocyte proliferation assay were positive with C.a.-antigen. C.a. was detected in the feces. Intradermal skin test with C.a. showed a positive immediate and late phase reaction and inhalative provocation test with C.a.-antigen was positive. After antimycotic treatment the symptoms resolved completely and long-lasting. We conclude that the disease was induced by C.a.-antigen reaching the lungs from the intestinal tract via the bloodstream.

Antifungal Agents↗

Cystic fibrosis: usefulness of thoracic CT in the examination of patients before lung transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of thoracic computed tomography (CT) in the pre-lung transplantation examination of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients (age range, 12-42 years) with CF were evaluated for possible lung transplantation from 1991 to 1997. Twenty-six of these patients underwent bilateral lung transplantation, 19 were awaiting transplantation at the time of the study, seven died before transplantation, and four were excluded for psychosocial concerns. Preoperative chest radiographic and CT findings were reviewed and correlated with clinical, operative, and pathology records. RESULTS: In seven patients, discrete, 1-2-cm pulmonary nodules were detected at CT. Five of these patients underwent transplantation; the nodules were found to be mucous impactions. No malignancy was found in any of the patients who underwent transplantation. Pretransplantation sputum cultures grew Aspergillus fumigatus in seven patients, none of whom had radiologic findings suggestive of Aspergillus infection. Radiographic or CT findings were suggestive of mycetoma in five cases, but no such tumors were found at transplantation. The accuracies of chest radiography and CT for the detection of pleural disease in 48 hemithoraces were 81% (n = 39) and 69% (n = 33), respectively. The radiologic findings of pleural thickening did not influence the surgical approach in any patient. CONCLUSION: Thoracic CT has little utility in the routine pre-lung transplantation examination of patients with CF.

Adolescent↗

Pediatric lung transplantation: indications and contraindications.

As the practice of lung transplantation in children evolves, the indications are expanding. The major diagnostic groups for which transplantation is offered are similar to those used in adult lung transplantation with the notable absence of obstructive lung disease. Of all children under the age of 18 years undergoing lung transplantation, cystic fibrosis accounts for approximately 35%, pulmonary vascular disease, with or without associated congenital heart disease, accounts for 25-30%, and interstitial lung diseases comprise about 10%. The other categories included retransplantation and a variety of diagnoses which by themselves describe an unusual form of end-stage pulmonary disease. The selection of candidates with transplantable diagnoses is crucial, and as this specialty evolves the contraindications have as well. Colonization of the airway with resistant bacterial or fungal organisms, history of multiple prior thoracic procedures, need for mechanical ventilation, diabetes mellitus, and the presence of other organ failure constitute some relative contraindications for transplantation. Retransplantation is a controversial issue that has not yet been resolved.

Adolescent↗

[Lung complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a potentially curative therapy in selected patients with hematologic disorders (acute leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, lymphoma) or solid tumors (testicular or breast cancer). Pulmonary complications occur in 40 to 60% of patients receiving BMT, and are related to various mechanisms: chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, pulmonary toxicity of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, graft-versus-host disease. Bacterial or fungal pneumonia occurring during the initial period of neutropenia, and interstitial pneumonia (related to cytomegalovirus or of unknown origin) are the major respiratory complications of the first 100 days. Bacterial sinusitis and pulmonary infections, and obstructive airways disease related to bronchiolitis are the main late-onset respiratory disorders. No single risk factor can predict the development of these complications, which result from a sequence of events including infections, pulmonary injuries related to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and inappropriate immunological reaction after transplantation. Antimicrobial prevention has been shown to reduce the mortality of these complications, but they still result in both important morbidity and mortality. They are the most frequent non relapse cause of death among long term surviving patients. Better understanding of their pathogenesis, and early recognition and treatment of respiratory complications of BMT should improve the efficacy of this therapy.

Acute Disease↗

[Techniques applicable to broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in hospital laboratory for the diagnosis of parasitic and fungal pneumopathies in immunosuppressed patients].

Parasitic and fungal organisms which are likely to cause pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients can be detected in broncho-alveolar fluid (BAL fluid). Single and standard methods, such as direct examination of the pellet, eosine-methylene blue fast (RAL 555), cultures in usual mediums of mycology must be systematically applied to this sample and may help detect these organisms without further exploration. If the results are negative, more recent techniques can be used if they present a real asset: an easier reading and mostly an improved sensitivity. Such is the case of immuno-fluorescence assay with monoclonal antibodies for detection of Pneumocystis carinii, and inoculation of MRC5 fibroblast cell line in tissue culture for isolation of Toxoplasma. Fungal pulmonary infections diagnosis has not yet succeeded in benefiting from modern findings: latex tests proposed for the detection of circulating antigens are nor sensitive nor specific, except the "Crypto LA test". Considering the relatively frequent association with other infectious agents, the detection of a parasitic or fungal organism in the BAL fluid should not interrupt investigation of this sample; neither should it lead to hasty conclusions regarding the responsibility of this agent in acute pneumopathy. This role will have to be evaluated according to criteria which are different for each isolated organism.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

Diagnostic value of conidia associated with pulmonary oxalosis: evidence of an Aspergillus niger infection.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) material is commonly received in cytopathology for the exclusion of microorganisms. When crystalline material suggestive of calcium oxalate is present in the specimen, a search for fungal elements should be undertaken. Aspergillus niger is the hyaline mold associated with the presence of oxalate crystals. Commonly fragments of hyphae and occasionally entire conidiophores may be present in BAL specimens from patients with aspergillosis. We report a case of a patient with saprophytic colonization of a bullous/cavitary lesion. The BAL consisted of abundant acute inflammation, crystalline material suggestive of oxalate, and darkly pigmented conidia. Although an extensive search was undertaken, hyphal fragments could not be found. The suspicion of an A. niger infection was confirmed by culture. We believe that even in the absence of hyphal fragments, darkly pigmented, occasionally rough-walled conidia are sufficient evidence to be highly suspicious of an A. niger infection in patients with pulmonary oxalosis.

Aspergillosis↗