Inhalation challenge in pigeon breeder's disease: BAL fluid changes after 6 hours.
The purpose of this study was to determine the cellular events occurring 6 h after bronchial inhalation challenge, in a group of pigeon breeders. Twelve subjects agreed to undergo challenge, either with nebulized pigeon serum (Ps) (n = 10), or with saline (n = 2). The development of characteristic symptoms was used to detect a positive response in combination with monitoring tests (white blood cell count (WBC), body temperature, and spirometry). An initial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed before inhalation challenge, and a further BAL on the previously spared right middle lobe subsegment or lingula 6 h after challenge. Paired bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were analysed for urea, albumin, total and differential WBC, interleukin-1 and interleukin-2. There was a significant increase in total cells, lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and neutrophils; numbers.ml-1 of BALF in responders. A monitoring score reflecting severity of patient response correlated with an increase in all cell types (p < 0.05). In conclusion, responders developed both a BALF lymphocytic and neutrophilic "alveolitis" following inhalation challenge, the degree of BALF "alveolitis" correlating with the severity of patient response.
Asthma & Allergy Unit, Sully Hospital, South Glamorgan, UK.
S P
SP
Reynolds
K P
KP
Jones
J H
JH
Edwards
B H
BH
Davies
D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001716:Bird Fancier's Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000418:Albumins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014508:Urea