Cholesteryl palmitate crystals in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smears as a possible prognostic biomarker for chronic interstitial pneumonia: A preliminary study.

Abstract

We observed cholesterol-like crystals (Crystal X) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) smears of patients with diffuse pulmonary disease. We analyzed the clinical data of patients with and without crystals, and elucidated the structure of Crystal X and its concentration in the BALF. Two hundred eighty-nine patients with diffuse pulmonary disease who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were analyzed. The relationships between the presence and number of Crystal X in BALF smears and clinical parameters were investigated. Furthermore, structure determination and quantitative analyses of the crystals were performed. Seventy-five (26.0%) patients had Crystal X in their BALF. The crystals were frequently observed in patients with chronic interstitial pneumonia (CIP, 60/160=35.3%). Patients with Crystal X exhibited significantly higher serum Kerbs von Lungren 6 antigen and surfactant protein-D levels (P<0.01) and lower percentage vital capacity (P<0.05) than patients without Crystal X. The number of crystals was significantly correlated with these parameters. The presence of crystals was also associated with a lower survival rate at 1 year after the BAL. The interfacial angles of the crystals were 126±2° and 144±2°, different from those of cholesterol monohydrate crystals. Infrared absorption spectrometry showed Crystal X was cholesteryl palmitate. Its concentration was significantly higher in BALF with crystals than in BALF without crystals (P<0.01). Crystal X in the BALF of patients with diffuse pulmonary disease was identified as cholesteryl palmitate, which may be a useful prognostic biomarker for CIP.