Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur Respir J 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

APHP, Hôpital Bichat, Service de Pneumologie A, DHU FIRE, Paris, France.

mutations have been evidenced in 5-9% of familial pulmonary fibrosis, but the phenotype of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and mutations is poorly known.Whole exome sequencing was performed in 252 probands with ILD and we included all patients with ILD and mutation. RTEL1 expression was evaluated by immunochemistry in the lung of controls, and mutation carriers. Read More

Lung Cancer 2018 Dec 6;126:162-169. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Lung cancer with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern is a disease with poor prognosis. This study aimed to characterize the tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma associated with UIP (UIP-ADC).

Methods: A total of 1341 consecutive patients with ADC who had undergone complete surgical resection were enrolled in this study, and the clinicopathological features of UIP-ADC were examined. Read More

Allergy 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Servicio de Neumología, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Cataluña, España.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to analyze mortality, possible predictors of long-term survival and health-related quality of life of a large chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) patient sample.

Methods: Longitudinal study in patients diagnosed with CHP during 2004-2013, followed for at least one year. Patients remaining alive and consenting to participate had a follow-up visit during 2015, including a complete pulmonary function study and the EuroQol-5D and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2018 Nov 23;95:27-35. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Microorganisms in Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: Haemophilus parasuis, one of the major swine pathogens, has at least fifteen different types, all of which have significant economic effects on the global swine industry. The aim of this study was to establish an experimental intraperitoneal infection model for H. parasuis in neutropenic guinea pigs. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill. Electronic address:

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a T1 lymphocyte-biased fibrosing alveolitis caused by antigens ranging from avian excreta, fungi, thermophilic bacteria, and protozoa to reactive chemicals found in the workplace. Mimicking a viral syndrome, acute exposures to inciting antigens cause abrupt onset of nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and chills with arthralgias or malaise usually from 4 to 8 hours later so that the temporal relationship between antigen exposure and symptoms might be unsuspected. The histology of HP reveals prominent lymphocyte infiltrates that thicken the alveolar septa with poorly formed granulomas or giant cells. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2018 Nov 16;18(1):299. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a necrotizing granulomatous disease, very rarely involves the central nervous system (CNS), particularly the pituitary. Delayed treatment may cause permanent bilateral blindness. We report an isolated case of pituitary GPA that manifested as a progressive bilateral temporal visual field (VF) defect and was diagnosed via pituitary biopsy. Read More

Orphanet J Rare Dis 2018 Nov 12;13(1):201. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department Tranzo, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153 (RP219), 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands.

Background: Common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) are a group of rare innate disorders characterized by specific antibody deficiency and increased rates of infections, comorbidities and mortality. The burden of CVID in Europe has not been previously estimated. We performed a retrospective analysis of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) registry data on the subset of patients classified by their immunologist as CVID and treated between 2004 and 2014. Read More

Sci Transl Med 2018 09;10(460)

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive inflammatory disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Previous genetic and immunologic investigations suggest common intersections between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), sarcoidosis, and murine models of pulmonary fibrosis. To identify immune responses that precede collagen deposition, we conducted molecular, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometric analysis of human and murine specimens. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2018 Sep 10;261:22-26. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.

The large lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in various ungulate hosts, including red deer. Recently, the red deer-derived lungworm D. cervi was described and separated from D. Read More

Respir Med 2018 Nov 16;144S:S13-S19. Epub 2018 Sep 16.

Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Introduction: The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is difficult to ascertain due to the insensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy. Current diagnostic criteria require a positive endomyocardial biopsy or extra-cardiac biopsy with clinical features suggestive of CS. Common tests for diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis include bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung and mediastinal lymph node (MLN) biopsies. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Nov 22;37(11):2981-2988. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gong-Ti South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China.

To characterize the distinctive chest high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) features and clinical manifestations of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). The demographic data, clinical manifestations, and laboratory and radiological findings of 527 pSS patients were retrospectively analyzed. ILD was defined based on the presences of pulmonary signs in HRCT. Read More

Eur Respir Rev 2018 Sep 29;27(149). Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Dept of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Human primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) represent a heterogeneous group of more than 350 disorders. They are rare diseases, but their global incidence is more relevant than generally thought. The underlying defect may involve different branches of the innate and/or adaptive immune response. Read More

Histopathology 2018 Aug 28. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Aims: The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of pirfenidone or nintedanib treatment on lung histopathology and molecular mediators of fibrosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods And Results: We collected lung tissue from IPF patients at the time of lung transplantation. Histopathological changes were quantified using a blinded scoring method. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 8;9:1837. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Immunodeficiency Centre for Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) has contributed critically to the management of primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) and the decrease in pneumonia rate. However, despite adequate IGRT and improved prognosis, patients with PAD continue to experience recurrent respiratory tract infections, leading to bronchiectasis and continuing decline in lung function with a severe impact on their quality of life. Moreover, non-infectious inflammatory and interstitial lung complications, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, contribute substantially to the overall morbidity of PAD. Read More

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018 Sep 23;129:27-39. Epub 2018 Jun 23.

Medical Oncology Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.

The identification of reliable predictive biomarkers of efficacy or resistance to immune-oncology (I-O) agents is a major issue for translational research and clinical practice. However, along with PDL1 and molecular features other clinical, radiological and laboratory factors can be considered for the selection of those patients who would not be the best candidate for immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs). We examined these factors, emerging from the results of currently available studies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), aiming to provide a useful and manageable tool which can help Oncologists in their everyday clinical practice. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 Dec 29;82:177-186. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, 55905 MN. Electronic address:

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a progressive autoimmune disease of the liver causing destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, associated with lymphocytic and granulomatous inflammation. PBC has been associated with many extrahepatic manifestations including interstitial lung disease. However, comprehensive pulmonary histopathology in PBC has not been well documented. Read More

Cornea 2018 Oct;37(10):1326-1327

Department of Ophthalmology, National Institution of Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.

Purpose: To report a case of ocular findings associated with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP).

Case: A 63-year-old man was referred to the National Institution of Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center with bilateral eyelid swelling due to giant papillomatous changes, each measuring approximately 10 mm in diameter with severe hyperemia on the tarsal conjunctiva. He was followed for CEP for 8 years and systemically treated with 6 mg oral prednisolone for an average of 5 years. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2018 May;36(5):353-356

Department of Medical laboratory, Medical College, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China.

To preliminary analysis of the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood among 135 cases of coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients in Huainan mining area. The peripheral bloods of 135 cases of coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and 112 cases of health examiners were collected. Flow cytometry was used to detect peripheral blood lymphocytes, T cell subsets and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc 2018 Jul;93(7):834-839

Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Electronic address:

Short telomere syndromes (STSs) are accelerated aging syndromes with multisystemic manifestations that present complex management challenges. In this article, we discuss a single-institution experience in diagnosing and managing patients with inherited STSs. In total, we identified 17 patients with short telomeres, defined by flow-fluorescence in-situ hybridization telomere lengths of less than first centile in granulocytes/lymphocytes OR the presence of a characteristic germline pathogenic variant in the context of a highly suggestive clinical phenotype. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Jul;21(7):1398-1405

Division of Rheumatology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.

Aim: Previous analysis of comparative anti-citrullinated heat shock protein 90 (citHSP90) antibody profiles between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum indicates that the lung plays a direct role in shaping the immune repertoire of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: To address the contribution of citHSP90β-specific T cells in this process, we evaluated in vitro cytokine responses to citHSP90β in RA patients with different stages of ILD as well as in controls with non-RA connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD). Cultures derived from whole blood were individually stimulated with HSP90β, citHSP90β, citrullinated BSA, or no antigen. Read More

Vet Pathol 2018 11 25;55(6):900-904. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

1 Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

A 4-year-old captive male central bearded dragon ( Pogona vitticeps) was presented for recurrent episodic dyspnea and anorexia with occasional expulsion of oral mucoid discharge. Despite empirical antimicrobial therapy and supportive care, the animal died and was submitted for autopsy. Defining histologic features included heterophilic and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, with occasional amphophilic intranuclear inclusions and prominent type II pneumocyte hyperplasia. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2018 5;25:12-17. Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is an uncommon interstitial lung disease that is characterized by an interstitial infiltrate of lymphoplasmacytic cells. While idiopathic LIP appears to be extremely rare, most reported cases of LIP have been associated with coexisting immune derangements, particularly autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome. In this report, we describe the presentation of LIP in a patient with underlying mixed connective tissue disease. Read More

Eur J Endocrinol 2018 Sep 7;179(3):R151-R163. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Department of EndocrinologyGuy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Hypophysitis is a rare condition characterised by inflammation of the pituitary gland, usually resulting in hypopituitarism and pituitary enlargement. Pituitary inflammation can occur as a primary hypophysitis (most commonly lymphocytic, granulomatous or xanthomatous disease) or as secondary hypophysitis (as a result of systemic diseases, immunotherapy or alternative sella-based pathologies). Hypophysitis can be classified using anatomical, histopathological and aetiological criteria. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2018 Sep 1;484:305-313. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Laboratório de Toxicologia (LATOX), Departamento de Análises, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

Workers involved in mining activities are exposed to crystalline silica, which leads to constant pulmonary inflammatory reactions and severe oxidative damage, resulting in silicosis. In this work, we aimed to evaluate inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters as potential early biomarkers of effect to assess crystalline silica toxicity in workers who had occupational exposure during mining. We enrolled 38 workers exposed to crystalline silica (WECS), 24 individuals with silicosis (IWS), and 30 occupationally unexposed workers (OUW), a total of 92 participants. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2018 Apr;10(4):2108-2117

Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.

Background: Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands and extraglandular organ systems. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in pSS patients and is one of the independent risk factors for a poor prognosis. The previously reported characteristics and potential risks contributing to pSS-associated ILD have been controversial. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Mar-Apr;36 Suppl 111(2):93-98. Epub 2018 May 18.

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Germany.

Objectives: To examine functional features of CD4+CD8+ double-positive T-cells in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) using phenotypic and transcriptomic analysis.

Methods: Staining of cellular surface marker was performed using freshly collected whole blood. For intracellular cytokine staining freshly collected whole blood was stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. Read More

Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2018 Jun 10;200:40-51. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Department of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

In this study, we administered specially developed chitosan/alginate nanoparticle encapsulated BV (CH/AL-BV) which has slow-releasing properties and mucosal adhesiveness to pig via nasal route and evaluate whether it can facilitate systemic immune response and improve clearance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The CH/AL-BV-administered group with PRRSV vaccination showed significantly enhanced Th1-related responses including a high population of CD4 T lymphocyte and cytokine mRNA levels including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-12 and increased PRRSV-specific IgG levels. In the PRRSV challenge experiment, the CH/AL-BV group showed a significant decrease of viral burden in the sera and tissues (lung and bronchial lymph node) and mild interstitial pneumonia signs on both lung gross examination and microscopic evaluation with high levels of PRRSV-specific IgG and viral neutralizing antibody. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2018 May 12. Epub 2018 May 12.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, People's Republic of China.

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of immune dysregulation associated with uncontrolled activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages. Herein, we report a case of a 14-month-old Chinese boy who presented with fever, abdominal distension and thrombopenia, and died within 3 days of admission to the hospital. Postmortem examination revealed pleuroperitoneal fluid, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly. Read More

J Inflamm Res 2018 24;11:155-167. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Department of Exercise and Health, Institute of Sports Science, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany.

Long-term cigarette smoking (LTCS) represents an important risk factor for cardiac infarction and stroke and the central risk factor for the development of a bronchial carcinoma, smoking-associated interstitial lung fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The pathophysiologic development of these diseases is suggested to be promoted by chronic and progressive inflammation. Cigarette smoking induces repetitive inflammatory insults followed by a chronic and progressive activation of the immune system. Read More

Infection 2018 Aug 3;46(4):573-576. Epub 2018 May 3.

Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, CHU Bordeaux, Hôpital Haut Lévèque, 33600, Pessac, France.

Whipple's disease usually presents as chronic joint pain followed by digestive manifestations. However, many different presentations have been described in the literature. We report here the first proven case of muscular vasculitis related to Whipple's disease, associated with an expansion of circulating activated γδ T lymphocytes. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 6;2018:7459612. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Muscat 123, Al Khoudh, Oman.

Water pipe smoking is a tobacco smoking method commonly used in Eastern countries and is gaining popularity in Europe and North America, in particular among adolescents and young adults. Several clinical and experimental studies have reported that exposure to water pipe smoke (WPS) induces lung inflammation and impairment of pulmonary function. However, the mechanisms of such effects are not understood, as are data on the possible palliative effect of exercise training. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 04 20;18(1):190. Epub 2018 Apr 20.

St. John's Cancer Centre, Jaczewskiego 7 Street, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.

Background: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disease (CAEBV) is defined as a severe, progressive lymphoproliferative disorder associated with active EBV infection persisting longer than 6 months and developing in patients without recognised immunodeficiency. Rarely, interstitial pneumonitis (IP) occurs as a serious complication in CAEBV patients. The standard therapeutic regimen for IP in CAEBV has not yet been defined. Read More

Jpn J Clin Oncol 2018 May;48(5):491-494

Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.

Elotuzumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody targeted against signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7), has recently been used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The clinical characteristics of drug-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) due to elotuzumab have not been clarified. In this report, we describe a patient with refractory multiple myeloma who received elotuzumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in whom fatigue, fever and diffuse pulmonary infiltration developed. Read More

Respir Med 2018 04 1;137:95-102. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Unit of Translational Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.

Objective: Although high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is useful for the characterization of minute morphological changes in the lungs, no study has investigated risk factors for lung involvement detected by HRCT in patients with Sjögren's syndrome with or without respiratory symptoms. The aim of the current study was to investigate risk factors for lung involvement in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome detected by HRCT, with a particular focus on airway and interstitial lung diseases.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and investigated risk factors for lung involvement detected by HRCT. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 9;9:429. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.

Using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, we recently produced a number of rabbits with mutations in immune function genes, including FOXN1, PRKDC, RAG1, RAG2, and IL2RG. Seven founder knockout rabbits (F0) and three male IL2RG null (-/y) F1 animals demonstrated severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), characterized by absence or pronounced hypoplasia of the thymus and splenic white pulp, and absence of immature and mature T and B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Complete blood count analysis showed severe leukopenia and lymphocytopenia accompanied by severe neutrophilia. Read More

Ann Hematol 2018 Jul 26;97(7):1295-1296. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2018 Mar;98(10):738-743

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Chinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.

To explore the clinical features, etiological features and prognostic risk factors of long-term glucocorticoid users with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A retrospective study included 100 long-term glucocorticoid users with CAP (G-CAP group) from 11 hospitals of China between January 2014 and December 2014, while 100 non-immunocompromised patients with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled as controls (nICH-CAP group). Characteristics including age, gender, underlying diseases, corticosteroids, symptoms, disease severity, imaging manifestations, etiology, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, whether the application of vasoactive drugs, antibiotics application, hospital mortality rate between the two groups were compared, and the prognostic factors of G-CAP were investigated using Logistic regression. Read More

Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018 06 17;29(4):425-432. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.

Background: One of the most frequent non-infectious complications of humoral immunodeficiencies with a CVID-like pattern is a particular form of inflammatory lung disease which is called granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD). Its development worsens patient prognosis, with a significant decrease in survival. Currently, there are no unified guidelines regarding its management, and different combinations of immunosuppressants have been used with variable success. Read More

Chest 2018 Mar;153(3):e41-e43

Department of Immunology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Pathwest, Nedlands, WA, Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant complication of Sjögren syndrome (SS) associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The mainstay of treatment remains corticosteroid administration, with or without additional immunosuppressive therapies. Preliminary studies in SS have shown benefit in glandular and serologic parameters following treatment with the CTLA4 immunoglobulin fusion protein abatacept. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2018 04 14;6(3):e00302. Epub 2018 Feb 14.

Department of Infectious Disease and Pulmonary Medicine Aizu Medical Canter, Fukushima Medical Univserity Aizu-wakamatsu Japan.

A 76-year-old man presented with shortness of breath. Computed tomography revealed ground-glass opacity and interlobular thickening in the right lower lobe. Blood examination showed elevated levels of white blood cell count and lymphocytes. Read More

Med Hypotheses 2018 Mar 17;112:24-26. Epub 2018 Jan 17.

St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

The small vessel vasculitides granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis are associated with autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasm antigens (ANCA), principally proteinase-3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). There is an association between GPA and nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. The recent finding that S. Read More

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018 May 12;144(5):835-844. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan.

Purpose: Patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) often develop lung cancer. However, the biological features of lung cancer associated with UIP remain unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of UIP-associated squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Read More

Mod Pathol 2018 May 12;31(5):780-790. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction continues to be the main contributor to poor long-term allograft survival after lung transplantation. The restrictive phenotype of chronic lung allograft dysfunction carries a particularly poor prognosis. Little is known about the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in restrictive chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Read More

Intern Med 2018 Jun 11;57(11):1625-1629. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare disease that is diagnosed based on pathological findings. We herein report the case of a 27-year-old man who had multiple nodular shadows in bilateral lung fields on chest radiography and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). The pathological evaluation of a lung biopsy specimen showed the infiltration of lymphocytes, granulomas with necrosis and granulomatous angiitis. Read More

PLoS One 2018 2;13(1):e0190411. Epub 2018 Jan 2.

Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

Recent studies have suggested that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) are emerging markers of disease activity and prognosis in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, or malignancies. Therefore, we investigated the clinical significance and prognostic value of the NLR and CAR in adult patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis. The medical records of 197 patients with newly diagnosed polymyositis/dermatomyositis between August 2003 and November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

Intern Med 2018 May 27;57(9):1277-1280. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan.

A 63-year-old man with occupational exposure to silica presented with cutaneous ulcer, pleuritic pain, and a fever. Laboratory data showed lymphopenia and positive serum antinuclear and anti-DNA antibodies. Computed tomography of the chest showed egg shell-like calcification of the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes without pulmonary parenchymal involvement of silicosis. Read More

Ter Arkh 2017;89(11):60-68

Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia.

The authors have described the world's first case of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) in a 22-year-old woman with the clinical presentations of acute abdomen, which are associated with abdominal lymph nodal infiltration and necrosis, obvious constitutional disturbances (fever, nocturnal sweats, and significant weight loss), high inflammatory activity (anemia, leukocytosis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels), the gradual appearance of splenic and hepatic necrotic foci, and infiltration into the lung and lacrimal glands with the development of unilateral uveitis. The patient underwent five surgical interventions, several needle biopsies for recurrent abdominal syndrome, and long-term antibiotic treatment for presumed sepsis, which had caused drug-induced hepatitis. Bacteriological examination of blood, puncture samples, and removed abdominal cavity tissues, serological tests, and immunomorphogical study of biopsy samples and removed tissues yielded negative results for the presence of bacterial, fungal, and tuberculosis infections. Read More

J Immunol Res 2017 6;2017:3642832. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA.

Investigation of the Th1 immune response in sarcoidosis CD4 T cells has revealed reduced proliferative capacity and cytokine expression upon TCR stimulation. In other disease models, such cellular dysfunction has been associated with a step-wise, progressive loss of T cell function that results from chronic antigenic stimulation. T cell exhaustion is defined by decreased cytokine production upon TCR activation, decreased proliferation, increased expression of inhibitory cell surface receptors, and increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Dec 5;7(1):16912. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Division of Respiratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is characterised by interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes and varying amounts of interstitial fibrosis. B cells have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of NSIP. However, the relationship between B-lymphocyte and the clinical outcomes of NSIP was unclear. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2017 Nov 29;2017. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.

A 36-year-old Danish man, living in Asia, was diagnosed with pneumonia (PCP) and HIV in 2013 (CD4+ count: 6 cells/µL; viral load: 518 000 copies/mL). He initiated combination antiretroviral therapy. Later that year, he was also diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and was treated with prednisolone. Read More