[Rhinoviruses]. / Rhinoviren.

Human rhinoviruses (RV) belong to the Picornaviridae and are divided into three species: rhinovirus A, B and C. As causative viruses of upper airway infections (common cold), they possess enormous epidemiological and clinical importance. Furthermore, rhinoviruses are significant pathogens of acute exacerbations of chronic airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role as a cofactor in the development of pneumonia and their relevance in critically ill patients is still unclear and the focus of current research. Due to the unspecific clinical symptoms, diagnosis is difficult. Laboratory detection is sophisticated and a distinction between clinically relevant infection and contamination not always possible. Specific therapeutic antiviral strategies against rhinovirus infection do not exist as yet and, due to the large variety of subtypes, the development of vaccines remains a considerable challenge.

[CF Lung Disease - a German S3 Guideline: Module 2: Diagnostics and Treatment in Chronic Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / S3-Leitlinie: Lungenerkrankung bei Mukoviszidose ­ Modul 2: Diagnostik und Therapie bei der chronischen Infektion mit Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal-recessive genetic disease affecting approximately 8000 people in Germany. The disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene leading to dysfunction of CFTR, a transmembrane chloride channel. This defect causes insufficient hydration of the epithelial lining fluid which leads to chronic inflammation of the airways. Recurrent infections of the airways as well as pulmonary exacerbations aggravate chronic inflammation, lead to pulmonary fibrosis and tissue destruction up to global respiratory insufficiency, which is responsible for the mortality in over 90 % of patients. The main aim of pulmonary treatment in CF is to reduce pulmonary inflammation and chronic infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the most relevant pathogen in the course of CF lung disease. Colonization and chronic infection are leading to additional loss of pulmonary function. There are many possibilities to treat Pa-infection. This is a S3-clinical guideline which implements a definition for chronic Pa-infection and demonstrates evidence-based diagnostic methods and medical treatment for Pa-infection in order to give guidance for individual treatment options.

[Possible Significance of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology at Initial Diagnosis and Follow-up of Lung Cancer]. / Evaluation zum möglichen Stellenwert der Bronchiallavagezytologie bei Erstdiagnose und Nachsorge des Lungenkarzinoms.

Bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] is an important procedure in the diagnosis of a variety of lung diseases. While it has enormous value in the diagnostics of inflammatory parenchymal diseases, its significance in lung cancer is unclear. Keeping in mind that immune therapy (e. g. application of checkpoint inhibitors) is gaining importance in the management of lung carcinoma, it is important to know if there are typical cellular patterns in BAL of lung cancer patients. Methods In a retrospective proof of principle-study, we analyzed 38 patients who underwent BAL at the initial diagnosis of lung cancer. Results We observed an elevated level of CD25 lymphocytes as well as an increased expression of DR antigen, both signaling lymphocyte activation. We could not find a typical cytologic pattern of inflammatory cells in lung carcinoma patients. Sensitivity of BAL to malignant cells was rare, thus confirming earlier analysis. Conclusion We could not demonstrate typical cellular patterns in BAL of lung cancer patients. Evaluation of specific microRNA patterns might play a supporting role in the initial diagnosis as well as follow-up of lung cancer patients.

[Change of cholesterol oxidase of Brevibacterium sterolicum and substrate specificity]. / Modification de la cholestérol oxydase de Brevibacterium sterolicum et spécificité de substrat.

Cholesterol oxidase modified by hydrogen peroxide is inactive with cholesterol solubilized in buffer with surfactants. Pregn-5-en-3 beta-ol when solubilized in the same conditions and substrates soluble in buffer, like 3 beta-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one or 3 beta-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17 beta-carboxylic acid are substrates of the modified enzyme. The observed loss of activity on cholesterol could be due to the inability of the oxidized cholesterol oxidase to extract cholesterol from mixed cholesterol/surfactant aggregates. Cholesterol oxidase on storage undergoes modifications close to those with hydrogen peroxide and care should be taken for the use of cholesterol oxidase as cholesterol probe.