ABSTRACT
To determine reproducibility of inflammatory marker concentrations in induced sputum from subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF), 15 nonexpectorating children, 6 to 13 years of age with mild CF lung disease, underwent 3 weekly sputum inductions with 3% saline. Neutrophil elastase concentration and bacterial cultures were reproducible. This study provides useful information for investigators designing trials of anti-inflammatory therapies in CF involving sputum induction.
Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis/enzymology , Cystic Fibrosis/microbiology , Sputum/enzymology , Sputum/microbiology , Administration, Inhalation , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Interleukin-8/metabolism , Leukocyte Elastase/metabolism , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Peroxidase/metabolism , Reproducibility of Results , Sodium Chloride/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Bronchial secretions from 21 patients with moderate to severe chest infections were obtained by transtracheal aspiration. Six seriously ill patients showed greatly increased levels of amylase activity in the bronchial secretions compared with those found in the 15 less ill patients. This amylase was almost certainly derived from oropharyngeal contents and its presence suggests that aspiration may be more common in comatose and semi-comatose patients than is generally appreciated. (Summary)