Moldy Hazelnut Husk and Shell Related Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Possible Novel Occupational Causative Agent.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) triggered by inhalation exposure to environmental or occupational antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. Novel exposure sources and antigens are frequently identified. However, the causative agent remains unidentified in nearly half of HP cases. Early diagnosis for nonfibrotic-HP and quitting the exposure may prevent the disease progression to fibrotic forms and related complications. Here, we present two cases of HP associated with mold exposure in hazelnut husks, leaves, and shells in hazelnut agriculture.

Protective efficacy of pirfenidone in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

BACKGROUND: Bleomycin causes increased production of reactive oxygen species, leads to pulmonary toxicity, fibroblast activation, and fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of pirfenidone on bleomycin-induced lung toxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight adult rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; Bleomycin (B group, n=10), Bleomycin and Pirfenidone (B-PND group, n=13), and the control group (n=5). The bleomycin regimen was administered for 9 weeks. Pirfenidone was administered at 100 mg/kg daily. Total antioxidant level (TAS), total oxidant level (TOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels were studied. Histopathologically, sections were stained with Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson-trichrome for grading-scoring according to the Ashcroft score. RESULTS: Stage 3 fibrosis was observed in 50% of the B group rats, stage 3 and higher fibrosis was never detected in the B-PND group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). When evaluating tissue inflammation, the inflammation was higher in the B-PND group than in the other groups (p<0.001). Pleuritis was detected in all rats in group B, while was not observed in B-PND and control group (p<0.001). The TAS level was found to be significantly higher in group B than in group B-PND (p=0.034), while no difference was found between TOS, TNF-α, MMP-2, PAI, TGF-ß1. CONCLUSIONS: Pirfenidone had a statistically significant protective effect in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and pleuritis in rats.  Despite the presence of inflammation in the tissue, no significant changes were observed in inflammation markers in the peripheral blood. Novel serum biomarkers are needed to indicate the presence of inflammation and fibrosis in the lung.

Coexistence of Multiple Pulmonary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma and Scleroderma-Rheumatoid Arthritis Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma is a rare, low-grade pulmonary tumor observed as unilateral or bilateral multiple nodules at a rate of 4%-5%. Among the autoimmune connective tissue disorders, those most commonly associated with lung malignancies are sclero- derma and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we report a rare case of a 55-year-old middle-aged Asian woman with slow-growing bilat- eral multiple pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma and scleroderma-rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome. The autoimmune disorders and pulmonary fibrosis of this case might have led to the development of PSP.

Morbidity and mortality of surgical lung biopsy in the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Histology represents the major source of information to define a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. However, the procedure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of surgical lung biopsy (SLB) in diagnosing UIP. METHODS: Patients undergoing SLB with the ultimate diagnosis of UIP were studied. Clinical data concerning medical history, histology, pulmonary functions, radiology, length of hospital stay (LOS), morbidity and mortality status were retrospectively recruited from four hospitals. RESULTS: The study included consecutive 93 patients with a SLB diagnosis of UIP. Mean age was 61 ± 8 years, with one third of the patients were ≥65 years. In 58 cases (62.4%), the biopsy was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, in 35 (37.7%) by limited thoracotomy. Eighty patients (86%) had possible UIP, 12 (12.9%) had inconsistent with UIP and one (1.1%) had UIP pattern on high-resolution computed tomography. The mean LOS was 5.47 ± 3.16 days. LOS was associated with smoking status (P = 0.024), type of biopsy (P = 0.00), 6-min walk test (P = 0.00) and number of biopsy (P = 0.00). There was no in-hospital and 30-day mortality in our cohort, and 90-day mortality rate was 1.1%. In seven patients (7.5%), we observed postoperative morbidities, predominantly prolonged air leakage (7.5% of all cases). Postoperative morbidity was only associated with the type of SLB. Patients with limited thoracotomy showed greater morbidity rates (17.1% versus 1.7%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: SLB is a relatively safe procedure in the diagnosis of UIP and can be performed in suitable patients with suspected UIP/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[Results of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma with 26 cases in six years: a single center experience]. / Pulmoner aspergillomada alti yillik 26 olguluk cerrahi tedavi sonuçlari: Tek cerrahi servisinin deneyimi.

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma is reputed to be risky. We analyzed our results of the surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma. Between 2003 and 2009, 26 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in our center. Results were evaluated retrospectively. There were 5 female and 21 male patients, with a mean age of 44 ± 11.6 years (28-70). The patients were divided into two groups, group A (simple aspergilloma; n= 8) and group B (complex aspergilloma; n= 18). Major underlying diseases were tuberculosis (61.5%). The most common indication for operation was hemoptysis (57.6%). Of our patients, 23% were complaining of massive hemoptysis or recurrent hemoptysis. Other patients were complaining of mild symptoms and some of them were totally asymptomatic. We performed 15 (57.6%) lobectomies (3 with associated segmentectomies), 8 (30.6%) segmentectomies/wedge resections, 2 (7.6%) pneumonectomies, and 1 (3.8%) cavernoplasty. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 (57.6%) patients. Complications occurred in 72.2% patients of complex aspergilloma, whereas 25% occurred in simple aspergilloma (p= 0.03). Major complications included prolonged air leak, empyema, air space. One patient who underwent lobectomies for complex aspergilloma developed bronchopleural fistula and died of respiratory failure on the 20th postoperative day. Operative mortality was 3.8%. The average postoperative hospital stay was 12.9 days. The mean follow-up period was average 44 months. The actuarial survival at 3 years was 90% and 100% for complex aspergilloma and simple aspergilloma, respectively (p> 0.05). There was two recurrence of disease (8%). But no recurrence of hemoptysis. Low morbidity rate may have been due to the selection of patients with localized pulmonary disease in this study. Surgical resection of asymptomatic or symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma is effective in preventing recurrence or massive hemoptysis for patients whose condition is fit for pulmonary resection with reasonable mortality, morbidity and survival rates.