Transient airway colonization is associated with airway inflammation after lung transplantation.
Lower airway tract colonization may trigger neutrophil-mediated airway inflammation. We investigated whether transient airway colonization influences airway inflammation and pulmonary function after lung transplantation (LTx). In this retrospective study, stable LTx patients with consecutive broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL), the first colonized and the second noncolonized, were included to create a Pooled group (P, n=32) and a Gram Negative (GN, n=14), Gram Positive (GP, n=9) and Fungi (F, n=9) subgroup. Similarly, LTx patients with consecutive, noncolonized BAL samples were included as Control group (C, n=19). BAL analysis (cell counts, IL6, IL8) and forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) were compared between groups. In the P group and the GN subgroup, colonized BAL samples showed a significant increase in total cells, neutrophilia and IL8-concentration and a significant decrease in FEV(1), even when compared with the matched samples of the C group. A significant increase in neutrophilia was observed in the GP subgroup, but no other significant difference was found either in the GP and F subgroup or the C group. IL6 levels were not significantly different between groups. Transient airway colonization, especially with Pseudomonas-like GN bacteria, in stable LTx patients may be associated with IL8-dependent neutrophilic airway inflammation and a, albeit subtle, decrease in FEV(1).
Vos
R
R
Laboratorium of Pneumology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Vanaudenaerde
B M
BM
Dupont
L J
LJ
Van Raemdonck
D E
DE
Verleden
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8