Increased eosinophil chemotactic activity in bronchial washes obtained from patients with asymptomatic allergic alveolitis.

Abstract

The chemotactic activities of eosinophils and neutrophils were measured in bronchial washes obtained from 6 symptom-free patients with previous extrinsic allergic alveolitis and 9 healthy volunteers. An increased chemotactic activity was found in the washes obtained from the patients, and the recovery of eosinophils was correlated with the eosinophil chemotactic activity, suggesting a causal relationship. Chromatography of the fluids obtained suggested that low molecular weight compounds were principally responsible for the increased chemotactic activity. A mild disturbance of the integrity of the alveolocapillary barrier could to some extent add to the explanation of the increased chemotactic activity in the washes obtained from the patients.