Abstract
ObjectiveTo analyze cytokine levels in BAL fluid of patients with bronchiectasis due to mustard gas inhalation.Patients29 victims with mustard gas-induced bronchiectasis and 25 normal veterans as control group.InterventionPFTs,, high-resolution CT scans of the chest, analyses of BAL fluids for five cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12) and analyses of BAL fluids for cellular and flow-cytometric analysis of the phenotype of bronchoalveolar cells were performed in all cases.ResultsCD4 lymphocytes expressed as percentage or absolute number were significantly higher in patients with bronchiectasis than in controls (32.17 ± 16.00 vs 23.40 ± 6.97%, respectively; p = 0.01; and 3.31 ± 2.03 vs 1.88 ± 0.83 × 103 cells/ml, respectively; p = 0.001). The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in patients with bronchiectasis than in controls (3.08 ± 2.05 vs 1.68 ± 0.78; p = 0.002).There were significant differences in cytokine (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12) levels of BAL fluid between patients with bronchiectasis and healthy controls.A significant correlation was observed between the HRCT scores and both the percentage and the absolute number of CD4 lymphocytes in BAL fluid in patients with bronchiectasis (r = -0.49, p = 0.009; r = -0.50, p = 0.008; respectively). HRCT scores showed a significant correlation with CD4/CD8 ratios (r = 0.54, p = 0.004) too.Of measured BAL cytokines, only IL-8 (r = -0.52, p = 0.005) and TNF-aα (r = 0.44, p = 0.01) showed significant correlations with the HRCT scores.ConclusionThe increased levels of cytokines CD4 lymphocytes in the BAL fluid suggest the possible causative mechanism in the lung in sulfur mustard gas-induced bronchiectasis by the recruitment of neutrophils into the lung.
Highlights
The toxicity of the chemical warfare blistering agent sulfur mustard (2,2'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide; SM) has been investigated for nearly a century [1,2]
A significant correlation was observed between the high-resolution CT (HRCT) scores and both the percentage and the absolute number of CD4 lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in patients with bronchiectasis (r = -0.49, p = 0.009; r = -0.50, p = 0.008; respectively)
The increased levels of cytokines CD4 lymphocytes in the BAL fluid suggest the possible causative mechanism in the lung in sulfur mustard gas-induced bronchiectasis by the recruitment of neutrophils into the lung
Summary
The toxicity of the chemical warfare blistering agent sulfur mustard (2,2'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide; SM) has been investigated for nearly a century [1,2]. This toxic gas can damage the eyes and respiratory tract when present in high doses [3]. T-lymphocytes have an essential role in many types of inflammatory response It could, be anticipated that the lymphocytes may play a role in the response to inhaled mustard gas. We undertook this study to investigate the role of T cell and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with bronchiectasis due to sulfur mustard gas inhalation. The levels of cytokines in patients having bronchiectasis were further studied to correlate with the disease severity expressed as HRCT scores
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
