Fatal rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis and CD8 T lymphocytes.
A patient with amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with fatal rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis resistant to therapy is described. Pathologic examination of a transbronchial lung biopsy specimen showed diffuse alveolar damage and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia-organizing pneumonia-like findings. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contained many CD8+ lymphocytes, considered to be cytotoxic T cells. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in this case may provide prognostically and pathogenetically important information.
Yokoyama
Toshinobu
T
First Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan. tyokoyama@cogeco.ca
Sakamoto
Teruo
T
Shida
Norihiko
N
Kinoshita
Masaharu
M
Kunou
Yoshifumi
Y
Karukaya
Ritsuko
R
Takamatsu
Manabu
M
Aizawa
Hisamichi
H
D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications*; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic