KL-6 as an indicator for lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) in a human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carrier.
A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of a productive cough, dyspnea on effort, and low-grade fever. Although chest X-rays showed no marked abnormalities, her level of serum KL-6 was extremely high. We therefore suspected the presence of interstitial pneumonia. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan revealed infiltrative shadows in S6 of the right lung, and her serum was positive for antihuman T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) antibodies. From the clinical symptoms, radiographic findings, and histological findings, the diagnosis was probable lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP). After high-dose corticosteroid therapy, the level of serum KL-6 decreased rapidly. We conclude that KL-6 is a convenient and reliable marker for evaluating the activity of pulmonary manifestations in HTLV-1 carriers and that it is especially useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.
Ishikawa
N
N
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
Awaya
Y
Y
Maeda
H
H
Miyazaki
M
M
Fujitaka
K
K
Yamasaki
M
M
Kondo
K
K
Oguri
T
T
Isobe
T
T
Kohno
N
N
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000941:Antigens; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000941:Antigens; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; C060192:MUC1 protein, human; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins