Durvalumab Consolidation After Chemoradiotherapy in Elderly Patients With Unresectable Stage III NSCLC: A Real-World Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The PACIFIC trial demonstrated survival benefit of durvalumab after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. Data on the effectiveness and safety of durvalumab in elderly patients is lacking. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between September 2017 and September 2022. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), recurrence patterns, first subsequent treatment after recurrence, factors associated with survival outcomes, and adverse events (AEs) were compared. RESULTS: Of the 286 patients, 120 (42.0%) were ≥ 70 years and 166 (58.0%) were < 70 years. The median PFS (17.7 vs. 19.4 months; P = .43) and median OS (35.7 months vs. not reached; P = .13) were similar between 2 groups. Proportion of patients who completed durvalumab was lower in elderly patients (27.5% vs. 39.2%; P = .040). In elderly patients, ECOG PS 0 or 1 was associated with better PFS, and being male and having received a cisplatin-based regimen during CCRT were factors associated with better and worse OS, respectively. In patients aged < 70 years, a PD-L1 ≥ 50% was associated with improved PFS and OS. Elderly patients experienced more treatment-related AEs, grade 3/4 AEs, permanent discontinuation of durvalumab, and treatment-related deaths. Among the AEs leading to permanent discontinuation or death, pulmonary AE was significantly more common in elderly patients. CONCLUSION: Durvalumab demonstrated similar outcomes in elderly compared to younger patients. However, AEs were more common in elderly patients. Thus, judicious selection of patients and chemotherapy regimens, coupled with careful AE monitoring, are important factors for ensuring optimal durvalumab treatment.

Methylprednisolone pulse therapy for critically ill patients with COVID-19: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The guidelines recommend the use of dexamethasone 6 mg or an equivalent dose in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require supplemental oxygen. Given that the severity of COVID-19 varies, we investigated the effect of a pulse dose of corticosteroids on the clinical course of critically ill patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted between September and December 2021, which was when the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was predominant. We evaluated the mortality and oxygenation of severe to critical COVID-19 cases between groups that received dexamethasone 6 mg for 10 days (control group) and methylprednisolone 250 mg/day for 3 days (pulse group). RESULTS: Among 44 patients, 14 and 30 patients were treated with control steroids and pulse steroids, respectively. There was no difference in disease severity, time from COVID-19 diagnosis to steroid administration, or use of remdesivir or antibacterial agents between the two groups. The pulse steroid group showed a significant improvement in oxygenation before and after steroid treatment (P<0.001) compared with the control steroid group (P=0.196). There was no difference in in-hospital mortality (P=0.186); however, the pulse steroid group had a lower mortality rate (23.3%) than the control steroid group (42.9%). There was a significant difference in the length of hospital stay between both two groups (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Pulse steroids showed no mortality benefit but were associated with oxygenation improvement and shorter hospital stay than control steroids. Hyperglycemia should be carefully monitored with pulse steroids.

A case of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor producing lung adenocarcinoma with anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangements.

A 49-year-old woman was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, stage IIIB, with increased leukocytes and neutrophils. Positron emission tomography showed dense uptake in right lung, but not in the bone marrow or bone. Biopsy revealed positive anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements. First-line ALK inhibitor, crizotinib, was used for 9 weeks and its effect was limited. Second-line ALK inhibitor did not show effect. Positive immunostaining and high serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels confirmed G-CSF-producing lung adenocarcinoma. The patient died after 4.5 months of diagnosis. This is the first reported case of G-CSF-producing lung cancer with ALK rearrangements.

Comparison of clinical features and prognosis in patients with cryptogenic and secondary organizing pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Organizing pneumonia (OP) can be diagnosed pathologically, and cryptogenic OP (COP) and secondary OP (SOP) have been classified by cause and particular underlying context. Because it is clinically difficult to differentiate between COP and SOP, this study investigated characteristics that could distinguish between COP and SOP. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent lung biopsy for a diagnosis of OP at a single tertiary hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients had pathologically proven OP, including 16 diagnosed with COP and 69 diagnosed with SOP. The most common cause of SOP was infectious pneumonia, observed in 57 (82.6%) of the 69 patients, followed by cancer and radiation pneumonitis. The pathogens causing infectious pneumonia were identified in 45 (65.2%) patients. There were no differences in age, sex, and lung function between the COP and SOP groups. Median body mass index was significantly lower (P = 0.030), and median time from symptom onset to hospital admission significantly shorter (P = 0.006), in the SOP than in the COP group. Fever was more common in the SOP group (P = 0.024), and CURB 65, an index of pneumonia severity, tended to be higher in the SOP group (P = 0.017). Some laboratory results differed significantly between the two groups. Lymphocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were significantly higher in the COP than in the SOP group (P = 0.012). Radiologic findings showed that effusion was more common in the SOP group (P = 0.036). There were no between-group differences in steroid use, 30 day and in-hospital mortality rates, and rates of OP outcomes and recurrences. Pneumonia recurrence rate was significantly higher in SOP patients who were than were not treated with steroids (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Infection is the main cause of SOP. Symptom onset is more rapid in patients with SOP than with COP. Some blood and BAL fluid test results differed significantly in the COP and SOP groups. Pleural effusion was more common in the SOP group but there were no differences in clinical course. Recurrence in patients with SOP was more common in those who were than were not treated with steroids.

Impact of Computed Tomography-Quantified Emphysema Score on Clinical Outcome in Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered a risk factor for poor outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, data on the prognostic impact of radiological emphysema extent on patients with COVID-19 are limited. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether computed tomography (CT)-quantified emphysema score is associated with a worse clinical outcome in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Volumetric quantitative analyses of CT images were performed to obtain emphysema scores in COVID-19 patients admitted to four tertiary referral hospitals in Daegu, South Korea, between February 18 and March 25, 2020. Patients were divided into three groups according to emphysema score (emphysema score ≤1%, 1%< emphysema score ≤5%, and emphysema score >5%). RESULTS: A total of 146 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The median emphysema score was 1.0% (interquartile range, 0.5-1.8%). Eight patients (6%) had a previous COPD diagnosis. Eighty (55%), 55 (38%), and 11 (8%) patients had emphysema scores ≤1%, between 1% and 5%, and >5%, respectively. The number of patients who received oxygen therapy two weeks after admission was significantly higher in the group with emphysema scores >5% than in other groups (p=0.025). The frequency of deaths was three (27%) in the group with emphysema scores >5% and tended to be higher than that in other groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, COPD, and serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were associated with a greater risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that patients with CT-quantified emphysema scores >5% tended to progress to severe disease over time; however, they did not exhibit an increased risk of mortality in our COVID-19 cohort. Further studies with consideration of both emphysema extent and airflow limitation degree are warranted.

The Association between Mortality and the Oxygen Saturation and Fraction of Inhaled Oxygen in Patients Requiring Oxygen Therapy due to COVID-19-Associated Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can manifest in a range of symptoms, including both asymptomatic systems which appear nearly non-existent to the patient, all the way to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Specifically, COVID-19-associated pneumonia develops into ARDS due to the rapid progression of hypoxia, and although arterial blood gas analysis can assist in halting this deterioration, the current environment provided by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an overall lack of medical resources or equipment, has made it difficult to administer such tests in a widespread manner. As a result, this study was conducted in order to determine whether the levels of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) (SF ratio) can also serve as predictors of ARDS and the patient's risk of mortality. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from February 2020 to Mary 2020, with the study's subjects consisting of COVID-19 pneumonia patients who had reached a state of deterioration that required the use of oxygen therapy. Of the 100 COVID-19 pneumonia cases, we compared 59 pneumonia patients who required oxygen therapy, divided into ARDS and non-ARDS pneumonia patients who required oxygen, and then investigated the different factors which affected their mortality. RESULTS: At the time of admission, the ratios of SpO2, FiO2, and SF for the ARDS group differed significantly from those of the non-ARDS pneumonia support group who required oxygen (p<0.001). With respect to the predicting of the occurrence of ARDS, the SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation had an area under the curve which measured to be around 85.7% and 88.8% (p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that the SF ratio at exacerbation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.916; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.846-0.991; p=0.029) and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) (HR, 1.277; 95% CI, 1.010-1.615; p=0.041) were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation were strong predictors of the occurrence of ARDS, and the SF ratio at exacerbation and NEWS held a significant effect on mortality.

Clinical Significance of Timing of Intubation in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study.

The effect of intubation timing on the prognosis of critically ill patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is not yet well understood. We investigated whether early intubation is associated with the survival of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This multicenter, retrospective, observational study was done on 47 adult COVID-19 patients with ARDS who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Daegu, Korea between February 17 and April 23, 2020. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality were compared between the early intubation and initially non-intubated groups, and between the early and late intubation groups, respectively. Of the 47 patients studied, 23 (48.9%) were intubated on the day of meeting ARDS criteria (early intubation), while 24 (51.1%) were not initially intubated. Eight patients were never intubated during the in-hospital course. Median follow-up duration was 46 days, and 21 patients (44.7%) died in the hospital. No significant difference in in-hospital mortality rate was noted between the early group and initially non-intubated groups (56.5% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.110). Furthermore, the risk of in-hospital death in the early intubation group was not significantly different compared to the initially non-intubated group on multivariate adjusted analysis (p = 0.385). Results were similar between early and late intubation in the subgroup analysis of 39 patients treated with mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, in this study of critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS, early intubation was not associated with improved survival. This result may help in the efficient allocation of limited medical resources, such as ventilators.

A case of pulmonary anthracofibrosis presented as multiple lung nodules.

A 73-year-old female living in the rural area presented with chronic cough. She had multiple rounded nodules less than 1cm in size in both lungs, and bilateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy in chest images, which could be confused with metastatic cancer. Bronchoscopy did not show bronchial anthracofibrosis, and positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F FDG) uptake. Surgical biopsy histology confirmed that the nodule was anthracofibrosis and the lymph node was reactive hyperplasia. Pulmonary function was accompanied by obstructive ventilatory defects, and clinical symptoms and lung function were improved after the use of inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilator.

Multimarker Prognostication for Hospitalized Patients with Community-acquired Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal prognostic model for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. In this study, we sought to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with CAP and to determine whether adding specific prognostic factors to each of the two clinical prediction scores could improve the prognostic yield. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 797 CAP patients who had been hospitalized at a tertiary referral center. The patients were categorized into two groups: those who survived and those who had died on or before 30 days after admission. Select clinical parameters were then compared between the two groups. RESULTS: During the 30-day period, there were 72 deaths (9%). We constructed two models for a multivariate analysis: one was based on a high CURB-65 score (3-5) and the other on a high pneumonia severity index (PSI) class (V). In both models, a high CURB-65 score or a high PSI class, along with the presence of dyspnea, high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (3-4), and a low serum albumin level, were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. In both the CURB-65-based and PSI-based models, the addition of dyspnea, high ECOG performance status, and hypoalbuminemia (<3 g/dL) enhanced the prognostic assessment, and subsequently, the c-statistics calculated with the use of three- or four- predictor combinations exceeded 0.8. CONCLUSION: In addition to the CURB-65 or PSI, the clinical factors of dyspnea, the ECOG performance status, and serum albumin level may be independent predictors of 30-day mortality in CAP patients. When combined with the CURB-65 or PSI, these parameters provide additional evidence for predicting poor prognoses.

Clinical characteristics of pulmonary embolism with concomitant pneumonia.

Although pneumonia is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, patients with pulmonary embolism and concomitant pneumonia are uncommon. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical features of pulmonary embolism with coexisting pneumonia. We retrospectively compared clinical, radiologic and laboratory parameters between patients with pulmonary embolism and concomitant pneumonia (pneumonia group) and those with unprovoked pulmonary embolism (unprovoked group), and then between the pneumonia group and those with pulmonary infarction (infarction group). Of 794 patients with pulmonary embolism, 36 (5%) had coexisting pneumonia and six (1%) had no provoking factor other than pneumonia. Stroke was significantly more common in the pneumonia group, than either the unprovoked group or the infarction group. In the pneumonia group, fever was significantly more common and serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher. By contrast, central pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dilation on computed tomography were significantly less frequent in the pneumonia group. In addition, an adverse outcome due to pulmonary embolism was less common in the pneumonia group than in either of the other two groups. The coexistence of pulmonary embolism and pneumonia is rarely encountered in clinical practice, especially without the presence of other factors that could provoke venous thromboembolism and is commonly associated with stroke. It is characterized by lower incidences of central pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dilation and by a lower rate of adverse outcomes due to pulmonary embolism itself.

Factors determining clot resolution in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

There are limited data on the rate of clot resolution after acute pulmonary embolism and risk factors for residual emboli. The aim of the present study was to investigate the rate of clot resolution over time and identify risk factors of residual emboli in pulmonary embolism patients. We retrospectively analyzed pulmonary embolism patients with follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans taken between day 3 and day 90. The patients were classified into three cohorts, depending on the time of CT scan: day 3-7, day 8-21, and day 22-90. Each cohort was regrouped into the residual embolus and complete resolution groups. The rate of complete resolution of pulmonary emboli was 24% at 3-7 days, 47% at 8-21 days, and 78% at 22-90 days. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors in each cohort were lobar or larger pulmonary artery pulmonary embolism and a right ventricle/left ventricle diameter ratio within 1 week, lobar or larger pulmonary artery pulmonary embolism at 1-3 weeks, and central pulmonary embolism at 3 weeks to 3 months. The rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, frequency of an adverse outcome, and in-hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups in each cohort. Complete resolution of pulmonary emboli occurred in most pulmonary embolism patients. Regardless of the time interval, larger pulmonary artery involvement by pulmonary emboli was only independent predictor of residual emboli. The presence of residual emboli was not associated with an adverse outcome of pulmonary embolism and rate of VTE recurrence.

Clinical characteristics of in-situ pulmonary artery thrombosis in Korea.

Little is known regarding the clinical features and course of in-situ pulmonary artery thrombosis (PAT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of PAT. Patients with PAT were retrospectively identified from a tertiary referral center in South Korea. A control group consisted of patients with pulmonary embolism in whom the right or left pulmonary artery was the largest pulmonary embolism-involved site. We compared various clinical parameters between the two groups. Of the 23 PAT patients, the most common underlying condition was tuberculosis-destroyed lung [11 (47.8%)], followed by pulmonary artery stump after lobectomy or pneumonectomy [7 (30.4%)]. In all patients except one, PAT was located in the right or left pulmonary artery. Computed tomography scans demonstrated that clots were completely or partially resolved less frequently in the PAT group than in the control group [4 (25%) versus 62 (90%); P < 0.001]. In the PAT group, three of the seven patients (43%) who had undergone anticoagulation therapy exhibited improvement, and one of the nine patients (11%) who had not received anticoagulation therapy experienced improvement; however, the difference was not significant. Tuberculosis-destroyed lung was the most common underlying condition in Korean PAT patients, followed by pulmonary artery stump after lung resection. The clots in patients with PAT were mostly located in the right or left pulmonary artery, and clot resolution was less frequent in the PAT group compared to the pulmonary embolism group.

Clinical Characteristics of Community-Acquired Viridans Streptococcal Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Viridans streptococci (VS) are a large group of streptococcal bacteria that are causative agents of community-acquired respiratory tract infection. However, data regarding their clinical characteristics are limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical and radiologic features of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with or without parapneumonic effusion caused by VS. METHODS: Of 455 consecutive CAP patients with or without parapneumonic effusion, VS were isolated from the blood or pleural fluid in 27 (VS group, 5.9%) patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified as a single etiologic agent in 70 (control group) patients. We compared various clinical parameters between the VS group and the control group. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the VS group was characterized by more frequent complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema and bed-ridden status, lower incidences of productive cough, elevated procalcitonin (>0.5 ng/mL), lower age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index score, and more frequent ground glass opacity (GGO) or consolidation on computed tomography (CT) scans. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema, productive cough, bed-ridden status, and GGO or consolidation on CT scans were independent predictors of community-acquired respiratory tract infection caused by VS. CONCLUSION: CAP caused by VS commonly presents as complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema. It is characterized by less frequent productive cough, more frequent bed-ridden status, and less common CT pulmonary parenchymal lesions. However, its treatment outcome and clinical course are similar to those of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Central emboli rather than saddle emboli predict adverse outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), the prognostic implications of saddle or central emboli, as observed on computed tomography (CT), remain to be established. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the presence of saddle and central emboli could be used to predict clinical outcomes in patients with PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 743 consecutive patients hospitalized at a tertiary referral center with a diagnosis of PE based on multi-detector row CT scan. RESULTS: All the clinical variables did not differ between saddle emboli (5.8% [n = 43]) and right or left pulmonary artery emboli (29.7% [n = 221]), and the frequency of an adverse outcome was not significantly different between the two groups. Saddle emboli and right or left pulmonary artery emboli were grouped into central emboli (35.5% [n = 264]). Patients were allocated to an adverse outcome group (10.5% [n = 78]) or a control group (89.5% [n = 665]). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PE severity index (PESI) score (class IV-V), N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level (≥ 1,406 pg/mL), right ventricular dilation on CT (right ventricle/left ventricle diameter ratio ≥ 1), and central emboli significantly predicted an adverse outcome. The addition of central emboli to other established prognostic factors such as PESI enhanced the positive predictive values and positive likelihood ratios of an adverse outcome for acute PE. CONCLUSIONS: Rather than saddle emboli, central emboli could be an independent prognostic factor of adverse outcomes in patients with acute PE and provide additional prognostic value when combined with other prognostic factors.

Clinical relevance of ground glass opacity in 105 patients with miliary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: After the application of chest computed tomography (CT), ground glass opacity (GGO) was introduced as one of major accompanying findings of miliary tuberculosis (MT) in addition to miliary nodules. However, little is known about whether GGO is associated with the clinical manifestations and outcomes of MT. Therefore, the present study examined the clinical relevance of GGO in patients with MT. METHODS: Chest radiographs and CT scans of MT patients were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical manifestations and outcomes were compared in terms of the extent of GGO revealed by chest CT. RESULTS: Confirmed 105 MT patients were included. GGO was observed in 70 (67%) patients. MT patients with an extent of GGO >50% (n = 21) had symptoms of shorter duration, more frequent dyspnea, and more pronounced changes in the levels of acute phase reactants. Miliary nodules were less discernible on CT in those with an extent of GGO >50%. MT patients with an extent of GGO >50% were significantly associated with a longer hospital stay (p = 0.02) and with acute respiratory failure (p < 0.001) than those with an extent of GGO ≤ 50%. However, mortality among MT patients was not associated with the extent of GGO. CONCLUSION: MT patients with an extent of GGO >50% had more rapidly progressive manifestations and a greater potential for delayed diagnosis and poorer prognosis. Nevertheless, mortality was not higher in confirmed MT patients with an extent of GGO >50% than in those with an extent of GGO ≤ 50%.

Prognostic implications of computed tomographic right ventricular dilation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: Whether right ventricular (RV) dilation on computerized tomography (RVD-CT) is a useful predictor for clinical outcomes of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains debatable. Furthermore, data regarding the best combination of prognostic markers for predicting the adverse outcome of PE are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 657 consecutive patients hospitalized at a tertiary referral center with a diagnosis of PE based on multi-detector row CT scan. RESULTS: Patients were allocated into an adverse outcome group (11% [n = 69]) or a low risk group (89% [n = 588]). Multivariate analysis showed that RVD-CT (RV/left ventricle [LV] diameter ratio ≥ 1), high pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) score (class IV-V), high N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP,≥ 1,136 pg/ml), and elevated troponin I (≥ 0.05 ng/ml) significantly predicted an adverse outcome (odds ratio [OR] 6.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.74-14.31, p < 0.001; OR 4.71, 95% CI 2.00-11.07, p < 0.001; OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.15-6.39, p = 0.023; and OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.27-7.07, p = 0.012, respectively). The addition of RVD-CT to PESI, NT-proBNP, troponin I or their combinations enhanced the positive predictive values and positive likelihood ratios of an adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: RVD-CT could be an independent prognostic factor of adverse outcomes in patients with acute PE, and provides additional prognostic value when combined with other prognostic factors.

Comparative analysis of whole-blood interferon-γ and flow cytometry assays for detecting post-treatment immune responses in patients with active tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Intracellular cytokine flow cytometry (ICCFC) has been explored to detect tuberculosis (TB) infections; however, there are little data regarding its use to examine the dynamic responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific T-cells after anti-tuberculous therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze both dynamic changes in functional MTB antigen-specific T-cell subsets and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels using ICCFC and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) test, respectively, following anti-tuberculous treatment in patients with active TB. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with active TB were enrolled in the study, and QFT-IT and ICCFC were performed simultaneously both before and after treatment. IFN-γ levels (QFT-IT test) and the numbers of IFN-γ- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-expressing T-cells (ICCFC assay) were examined after stimulation with MTB antigen. RESULTS: There was no significant reduction in the mean IFN-γ concentrations measured by the QFT-IT test after anti-tuberculous treatment (P = 0.314). ICCFC analysis showed that the numbers of IFN-γ(+) /CD4(-) T-cells, and CD4(+) T-cells producing TNF-α, either alone or in combination with IFN-γ, were significantly reduced after anti-tuberculous treatment. The IFN-γ(+) /TNF-α(+) /CD4(+) T-cell subset showed the greatest difference between untreated and treated patients with active TB (area under the curve = 0.734, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the QFT-IT test, ICCFC provides diverse immunological information about dynamic changes in the number of MTB antigen-specific T-cells following anti-tuberculous therapy. Thus, analysis of MTB antigen-stimulated T-cell responses using ICCFC might have a role to play in monitoring treatment responses in patients with active TB.

Prognostic value of serum growth differentiation factor-15 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding prognostic value of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of GDF-15 and H-FABP predict an adverse outcome for COPD exacerbation. METHODS: Clinical variables, including serum GDF-15 and H-FABP levels were compared in prospectively enrolled patients with COPD exacerbation that did or did not experience an adverse outcome. An adverse outcome included 30-day mortality and need for endotracheal intubation or inotropic support. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included and allocated into an adverse outcome (n=10) or a control (n=87) group. Frequencies of mental change and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were significantly higher in the adverse outcome group (mental change: 30% vs. 6%, p=0.034 and PaCO2>37 mm Hg: 80% vs. 22%, p<0.001, respectively). Serum GDF-15 elevation (>1,600 pg/mL) was more common in the adverse outcome group (80% vs. 43%, p=0.041). However, serum H-FABP level and frequency of serum H-FABP elevation (>755 pg/mL) did not differ between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that an elevated serum GDF-15 and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were significant predictors of an adverse outcome (odds ratio [OR], 25.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-243.8; p=0.005 and OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 1.2-115.3; p=0.034, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated serum GDF-15 level and PaCO2>37 mm Hg were found to predict an adverse outcome independently in patients with COPD exacerbation, suggesting the possibility that serum GDF-15 could be used as a prognostic biomarker of COPD exacerbation.

Propylthiouracil-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism. However, it is also associated with a number of adverse events. In particular, pulmonary complications, although rare, can be serious. Therefore, early detection is paramount. We herein describe a first case of PTU-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) pathologically confirmed on a surgical lung biopsy. The present case shows that early detection coupled with the immediate withdrawal of PTU can lead to a successful resolution of symptoms and radiographic abnormalities without the need for corticosteroids. Although rare, PTU-induced BOOP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary opacity in patients receiving PTU therapy.