[Beta-defensins in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection].
We measured the levels of beta-defensin 1 and 2 (HBD-1, 2), novel antimicrobial peptides in plasma and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with with non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection (NTM). Plasma HBD-2 levels in NTM patients before treatment were higher than those in the controls, while the HBD-1 levels were similar to the control levels. High levels of HBD-2, but not of HBD-1, in BALF were also observed in NTM patients. In NTM, a positive correlation was found between HBD-2 levels in BALF and plasma, and also between HBD-2 and IL-1 beta levels in BALF. NTM patients with cavities or ectasia on chest radiography had higher HBD-2 levels in BALF than those without. Plasma HBD-2 levels in NTM patients were markedly decreased after successful treatment, while those of patients with an intractable mycobacterium infection maintained the same high plasma HBD-2 levels as those before treatment. These findings suggest that HBD-2 may participate in the host defense and plasma HBD-2 levels may reflect disease activity in pulmonary NTM.
Ashitani
J
J
National Sanatorium Miyazakihigashi Hospital, 4374-1 Tayoshi, Miyazaki 880-0911, Japan.
Kumamoto
K
K
Hiratsuka
T
T
Mukae
H
H
Nakazato
M
M
Matsukura
S
S
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins