title: Broncho-alveolar lavage in chronic upper respiratory tract infections.
abstract: The relationship between upper and lower respiratory tract infections has been demonstrated previously, although the effect of chronic infection of one tract on the other has not been well studied. This work analyses the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of patients with chronic purulent rhino-sinusitis and reveals an increase in total and neutrophil cell counts as well as an increase in immuno-globulin A levels. The associated increase in the neutrophil nitro-blue tetrazolium dye reduction test positivity provides evidence for increased phagocytosis to compensate for the increased contamination of the lower respiratory tract.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A