title: Immunoglobulin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with recurrent obstructive bronchitis.
abstract: Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 22 children with recurrent obstructive bronchitis and the recovered lavage fluid samples were analysed for concentration of IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE and C3. Previously a significant influx of exudate macrophages and persistence of bacteria on the bronchoalveolar surface were detected in these patients and a severe mucosal inflammation was observed bronchoscopically. The relative lavage fluid levels of immunoglobulins to albumin were significantly higher than in serum, indicating a local production of these proteins. The elevated levels of C3 indicated a high activity of the macrophages and the complement system. It is concluded that the mucosal inflammation in patients with recurrent obstructive symptoms cannot be attributed to a deficiency of immunoglobulins either in blood or in bronchial secretions.
mesh_terms: D001991:Bronchitis / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D012008:Recurrence; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D007136:Immunoglobulins