Antibody titers among healthcare workers for coronavirus disease 2019 at 6 months after BNT162b2 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Antibody levels decrease substantially at 6 months after the BNT162b2 vaccine. The factors influencing titer of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a 6-month longitudinal prospective study in Japanese healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital for COVID-19. Participants in the study were tested for the presence of anti-spike protein (SP) IgG antibodies before and at 1 and 6 months after the last vaccination dose. RESULTS: Among 1076 healthcare workers, 794 received the vaccine, and 469 entered the study. Five were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (none among COVID-19 section workers) by the end of the study and 451 participants were finally analyzed (mean age, 42.5 years; 27.3 % male; 18.8 % COVID-19 section workers). Median SP IgG index values were 0.0, 44.4, and 5.5 before and at 1 and 6 months after the last dose, respectively. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation of SP IgG antibody levels with age (P < 0.0001), and higher levels in COVID-19 section workers (P = 0.0185) and in females (P = 0.0201). CONCLUSION: In healthcare workers at a COVID-19 hospital, IgG antibody titer was substantially lower at 6 months after receipt of the last dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine compared with that 1 month after the last dose, but was better preserved among younger participants, COVID-19 section workers and females.

A retrospective analysis of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab monotherapy for advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although clinical trials have investigated the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, none have investigated the addition of chemotherapy to pembrolizumab. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 71 NSCLC patients including 33 treated with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (combination therapy group) and 38 treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy (monotherapy group) from 1 May 2016 to 31 August 2020. RESULTS: Eleven of 33 (33.3%) patients in the combination therapy group and 37 of 38 (97.4%) patients in the monotherapy group had programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%. Objective response rate (ORR) and median overall survival (OS) were not significantly different between the combination therapy group and monotherapy group (54.5% vs. 47.4, p = 0.637 and 16.6 vs. 27.0 months, p = 0.463). In patients with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%, ORR and median OS were not different between the combination therapy group and the monotherapy group (63.6% vs. 48.6%, p = 0.499 and not reached vs. 27.0 months, p = 0.976). Thirty-three (100%) patients experienced adverse events (AEs) in the combination therapy group and 32 (84.2%) in the monotherapy group. Treatment discontinuation at 1 year due to AEs occurred more frequently in the combination therapy group (45.2%) than in the monotherapy group (21.1%). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in ORR and OS between the two groups, and treatment discontinuation was more frequent in the combination group. A randomized controlled trial is needed to evaluate the addition of chemotherapy to pembrolizumab for first-line treatment in patients with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%.

Outcome and risk factor of immune-related adverse events and pneumonitis in patients with advanced or postoperative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with pre-existing respiratory diseases have been excluded in clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, and it is unknown whether the same degree of response can be expected as that in patients without pre-existing respiratory diseases and if they are associated with increased risk for various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and ICI pneumonitis. This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors of clinical response, prognostic factors, risk factors of irAEs, and ICI pneumonitis in NSCLC patients with or without pre-existing respiratory diseases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 180 NSCLC patients who received ICI monotherapy of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab from 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2019. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients had pre-existing respiratory diseases, including 20 with pre-existing idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). A total of 85 patients experienced irAEs, of which ICI pneumonitis was the most frequent adverse event, occurring in 27 patients. Of the three patients who died from irAEs, all from ICI pneumonitis, two had pulmonary emphysema and one had pre-existing IIP. In multivariate analyses, irAEs were associated with objective response rate (ORR) and favorable OS, and IIPs were associated with increased risk for ICI pneumonitis. However, IIPs were not associated with low ORR or poor OS. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing IIPs were a risk factor for ICI pneumonitis. However, this study showed that ICI therapy can be offered to patients with pre-existing respiratory diseases with the expectation of the same degree of response as that in patients without pre-existing respiratory diseases. KEY POINTS: Significant findings of the study: Pre-existing IIPs were a risk factor for ICI pneumonitis, but objective response rate and prognosis of patients with IIPs were similar to those of other patients. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: In patients with pre-existing IIPs, ICI pneumonitis should be noted. However, ICI therapy can be offered to patients with pre-existing respiratory diseases with the expectation of the same degree of response as that in patients without pre-existing respiratory diseases.

Clinical course and findings of 14 patients with COVID-19 compared with 5 patients with conventional human coronavirus pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify what future problems must be resolved and how clinical findings of SARS-CoV-2 infection differ from those of cHCoV infection. METHODS: Patients and Methods Clinical characteristics of 14 patients with laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 5 patients with cHCoV pneumonia admitted to our institution and treated up to March 8, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: On admission, 10 patients had pneumonia, 5 of whom had pulmonary shadows detectable only via computed tomography (CT). During hospitalization, another patient with no pulmonary shadows on admission developed pneumonia. In total, 11 (78.6%) of the 14 patients developed pneumonia, indicating its high prevalence in COVID-19. During hospitalization, the patients' symptoms spontaneously relapsed and resolved, and gastrointestinal symptoms were frequently found. C-reactive protein values showed correlation with the patients' clinical courses. Ritonavir/lopinavir were administered to 5 patients whose respiratory conditions worsened during admission, all of whom improved. However, the pneumonia in the 6 other patients improved without antivirals. None of the 14 patients died, whereas 5 other patients with cHCoV pneumonia were in respiratory failure on admission, and one patient (20%) died. CONCLUSION: Both SARS-CoV-2 and cHCoV can cause severe pneumonia. Problems for future resolution include whether antiviral agents administered in cases of mild or moderate severity can reduce the number of severe cases, and whether antivirals administered in severe cases can reduce mortality.

Changes in airway diameter and mucus plugs in patients with asthma exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Airway obstruction due to decreased airway diameter and increased incidence of mucus plugs has not been directly observed in asthma exacerbation. We studied the changes in the inner diameter of the airway (Din) and the frequency of mucus plugs by airway generation in patients with asthma exacerbation. We compared these patients to those in a stable phase using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). METHODS AND FINDINGS: Thirteen patients with asthma were studied by HRCT during asthma exacerbation and in a stable period. The HRCT study was performed on patients who could safely hold their breath for a short while in a supine position 1 hour after initial treatment for asthma exacerbation. Using a curved multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) software, we reconstructed the longitudinal airway images and the images exactly perpendicular to the airway axis to measure the Din and mucus plugs from the second- (segmental) to sixth-generation bronchi in all segments of the lungs.The ratios of Din (exacerbation/stable) were 0.91(P = 0.016), 0.88 (P = 0.002), 0.83 (P = 0.001), 0.80 (P = 0.001), and 0.87 (NS) in the second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation bronchi, respectively. The percentages of airway obstruction due to mucus plugs were notably higher in the fourth- and fifth-generation bronchi (17.9%/18.1% in stable phase and 43.2%/45.9% in the exacerbation phase, respectively) than in the other generations of bronchi. CONCLUSIONS: Among the bronchi examined, the fourth- and fifth-generation bronchi were significantly obstructed during asthma exacerbation compared with the stable phase in terms of a decreased airway diameter and mucus plugs.

Smoking history and emphysema in asthma-COPD overlap.

BACKGROUND: Emphysema is a distinct feature for classifying COPD, and smoking history (≥10 pack-years) is one of several newly proposed criteria for asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). We studied whether or not a smoking history (≥10 pack-years) and emphysema are useful markers for classifying ACO and differentiating it from asthma with chronic airflow obstruction (CAO). METHODS: We retrospectively studied the mortalities and frequencies of exacerbation in 256 consecutive patients with ACO (161 with emphysema and 95 without emphysema) who had ≥10 pack-years smoking history, 64 asthma patients with CAO but less of a smoking history (<10 pack-years) and 537 consecutive patients with COPD (452 with emphysema and 85 without emphysema) from 2000 to 2016. In the patients with emergent admission, the causes were classified into COPD exacerbation, asthma attack, and others. RESULTS: No asthma patients with CAO had emphysema according to computed tomography findings. The prognoses were significantly better in patients with asthma and CAO than in those with ACO and COPD and better in those with ACO than in those with COPD. In both ACO and COPD patients, the prognoses were better in patients without emphysema than in those with it (P=0.027 and P=0.023, respectively). The frequencies of emergent admission were higher in COPD patients than in ACO patients, and higher in patients with emphysema than in patients without emphysema. ACO/emphysema (+) patients experienced more frequent admission due to COPD exacerbation (P<0.001), while ACO/emphysema (-) patients experienced more frequent admission due to asthma attack (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: A smoking history (≥10 pack-years) was found to be a useful marker for differentiating ACO and asthma with CAO, and emphysema was a useful marker for classifying ACO. These markers are useful for predicting the overall survival and frequency of exacerbation.

Retrograde Ascending Aortic Dissection after Stent Grafting for Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection with Severe Limb Ischemia.

We report a rare case of retrograde Stanford type A aortic dissection after endovascular repair for complicated Stanford type B aortic dissection. A 45-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of back pain and was transferred to our hospital. Computed tomography demonstrated acute Stanford type B aortic dissection with lower limb ischemia. Emergency endovascular surgery was planned for repair of the Stanford type B aortic dissection. The patient suddenly developed recurrent chest pain 10 days after the initial procedure. Computed tomography revealed retrograde Stanford type A aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch. The patient underwent a successful emergency total aortic arch replacement.

How many instructions are required to correct inhalation errors in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

In the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), errors in handling and wrong techniques in using inhalation devices are associated with poor disease control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of instructions that are necessary to minimize errors in using pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), soft mist inhaler (SMI), and dry powder inhaler (DPI). Among 216 patients with asthma (n = 135) and COPD (n = 81), we studied 245 cases that used different types of inhalation devices. After initial guidance, 145 of 245 cases (59%) made at least one error that could affect efficacy. For every device, at least three instructions were required to achieve entirely no errors or less than 10% errors in total. The most common error on the use of pMDI was device handling, whereas that of DPI was inhalation manner. Both errors were associated with low peak flow rate. In both patients with asthma and in patients with COPD, the most common error was inhalation manner. We concluded that it is necessary to repeat at least three times of instructions to achieve effective inhalation skills in both asthma and COPD patients.

COPD assessment test and severity of airflow limitation in patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The COPD assessment test (CAT) consists of eight nonspecific scores of quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life and severity of airflow limitation in patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) using the CAT. METHODS: We examined CAT and lung functions in 138 patients with asthma, 99 patients with COPD, 51 patients with ACOS, and 44 patients with chronic cough as a control. The CAT score was recorded in all subjects, and the asthma control test was also administered to patients with asthma and ACOS. The CAT scores were compared, and the relationships between the scores and lung function parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The total CAT scores and scores for cough, phlegm, and dyspnea were higher in patients with ACOS than in patients with asthma and COPD. The total CAT scores were correlated with the percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second only in patients with COPD. The total CAT scores and dyspnea scores adjusted by the percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second were higher in patients with ACOS than in patients with COPD and asthma. The CAT scores and asthma control test scores were more closely correlated in patients with ACOS than in patients with asthma. CONCLUSION: Patients with ACOS have higher disease impacts and dyspnea sensation unproportional to the severity of airflow limitation.

Risk Factors for Pneumonia and the Effect of the Pneumococcal Vaccine in Patients With Chronic Airflow Obstruction.

Background: To evaluate the risk factors for pneumonia and the efficacy of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) in patients with chronic airflow obstruction. Methods: We retrospectively studied the risk factors for pneumonia in 820 consecutive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n=509) and patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) (n=311). The effects of asthma, age, smoking history, chronic sputum, use of inhaled corticosteroids, percent predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC), percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%FEV1), body mass index (BMI), computed tomography (CT)-diagnosed emphysema, and the pneumococcal vaccination on the frequency of pneumonia were assessed. Results: There was no difference in the frequency of pneumonia in patients with COPD and those with ACOS. In a univariate analysis, age (p= 0.031), %FVC (p< 0.001), %FEV1 (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.003), the presence of emphysema (p < 0.001) and a history of vaccination with the PPV (p = 0.034) were associated with the frequency of pneumonia. A multivariate analysis identified low BMI, the presence of emphysema and the absence of a pneumococcal vaccination as independent risk factors. The combination index of these factors, the BOVE index, which is calculated from low BMI (<22 kg/m2), low %FEV1 (<60%), vaccination history and emphysema was associated with the overall frequency of pneumonia. Conclusions:The index of multidimensional risk factors is useful to predict the frequency of pneumonia in patients with chronic airflow obstruction. The pneumococcal vaccination was associated with significantly lower incidence of pneumonia.

Retrospective study of the predictors of mortality and radiographic deterioration in 782 patients with nodular/bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: Some patients with nodular/bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (NB MAC-LD) deteriorate and die. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the prognostic factors and radiographic outcomes in patients with NB MAC-LD. SETTING: Retrospective single-centre review. PARTICIPANTS: 782 HIV-negative patients with NB MAC-LD treated at our institution in Japan. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause and MAC-LD progression mortality rates and the prognostic factors, and radiographic deterioration rates and the prognostic factors. RESULTS: Mean age was 68.1 years, and median follow-up period was 4.3 years. Death from any cause and progression of MAC lung disease (MAC-LD) occurred in 130 (16.6%), and 19 (2.4%) patients, respectively. All-cause and MAC-LD progression 10-year mortality rates were 27.4% and 4.8%, respectively. In 536 patients with MAC-LD who were followed-up for more than 1 year, radiographic deterioration occurred in 221 (41.2%) patients and median time-to-radiographic deterioration was 9 years. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed male sex, older age, body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2), absence of bloody sputum, hypoalbuminaemia and erythrocyte sedimentation rate >40 mm/h to be negative prognostic factors for all-cause mortality, and the presence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, haemoglobin <11.3 mg/dL, C reactive protein >1.0 mg/dL and the presence of cavity to be negative prognostic factors for radiographic deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Only 2.4% of patients with NB MAC-LD died from MAC-LD progression. As clinical trials testing the effectiveness of drug therapy in patients with NB MAC-LD are being designed and implemented, the primary end point could be time-to-radiographic deterioration, and trial patients need to be stratified according to these prognostic factors before randomisation.

Lobe-based computed tomography assessment of airway diameter, airway or vessel number, and emphysema extent in relation to the clinical outcomes of COPD.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between computed tomography assessed lobe-based lung parameters and the clinical outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including the frequency of exacerbation and annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 65 patients with COPD. We reconstructed computed tomography images to trace the bronchial tree from right B1 to B10 and created 3 cm circle images around the airways exactly perpendicular to the airway axis in the central, middle, and peripheral zones of the bronchi. The number of airways and vessels, airway inner diameter and area of emphysema in the circles were calculated for each segment. Then, we analyzed the relationships between the lobe-based image parameters and the frequency of exacerbation and annual decline in the FEV1. In addition, we assessed the effects of proximal airway lumen-obliterated emphysema (ALOE) on these clinical features. RESULTS: The airway diameter was not associated with the frequency of exacerbation or annual decline in FEV1. Among the structural parameters, lower lobe emphysema was most associated with the frequency of exacerbation. The reductions in the number of airways and vessels in total lobe were associated with the annual decline in FEV1. The subgroup of patients with ALOE demonstrated lower FEV1 and more frequent exacerbation than those without ALOE. CONCLUSION: Lower lobe emphysema predicts frequent COPD exacerbation, whereas the annual decline in FEV1 is associated with the number of airways and vessels in total lobe.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive conversion and microscopic polyangiitis development in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive conversion occurs in patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and as a result, some of these patients develop microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). However, the incidence density of these patients is not well known. OBJECTIVES: To explore the incidence of ANCA-positive conversion and development of MPA during the disease course in patients with IPF and to evaluate whether corticosteroid therapy reduces MPA development in patients with IPF with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA positivity at diagnosis or who later acquire MPO-ANCA positivity. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 504 Asian patients with IPF treated at our institution in Saitama, Japan. RESULTS: Of the 504 patients with IPF, 20 (4.0%) had MPO-ANCA and 16 (3.2%) had PR-3-ANCA when first evaluated. In 264 of 504 patients with IPF, ANCA was measured repeatedly and seroconversion to MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA occurred in 15 (5.7%) and 14 (5.3%) patients, respectively, and 9 of 35 patients who were either MPO-ANCA positive at IPF diagnosis or who subsequently seroconverted developed MPA. None of the nine patients who developed MPA had been previously treated with steroids. The incidence of MPA tended to be lower in patients treated than not treated with corticosteroids although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with IPF with MPO-ANCA positivity at IPF diagnosis or with MPO-ANCA-positive conversion during follow-up developed MPA. Clinical trials to determine whether corticosteroid therapy can reduce MPA development and prolong survival in MPO-ANCA-positive patients with IPF should be considered.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia accompanying systemic amyloidosis: the usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for detecting amyloid deposits.

A 75-year-old man with a history of dyspnea lasting for three years presented to our hospital. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral pulmonary nodules, some of which were calcified, in addition to mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy and bilateral pleural effusions. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS) transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of the subcarinal lymph nodes showed amorphous acellular material compatible with λ-light chain amyloid deposits. Sternal bone marrow aspiration demonstrated increased small lymphocytes admixed with plasma cells and plasmacytoid lymphocytes. Serum immunoglobulin values were decreased with the exception of immunoglobulin M monoclonal peak. We subsequently diagnosed the patient as having Waldenström's macroglobulinemia accompanying AL-type amyloidosis. In this case, EBUS-TBNA was useful for detecting AL-type amyloidosis.

Clinical characteristics of biopsy-proven allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis: variety in causative fungi and laboratory findings.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) has traditionally relied widely on Rosenberg's criteria, which emphasize immunologic responses while overlooking the investigation of mucous plugs as a primary criterion. Therefore, the characteristics of biopsy-proven ABPM require further elucidation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of biopsy-proven ABPM and address whether full compliance with clinical criteria, such as the presence of asthma, and certain laboratory findings is necessary to establish a diagnosis of ABPM. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with biopsy-proven ABPM focusing on causative fungi and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Causative fungi included Aspergillus sp. in seven patients, Schizophyllum commune in four patients, Penicillium sp. in two patients and unknown in five patients. Bronchial asthma was observed in 10 patients, eosinophilia was observed in 10 patients and an increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E level was observed in 14 of the 17 patients. IgG for Aspergillus sp. was positive in six of the seven patients with ABPM due to Aspergillus and turned positive in the remaining patient during follow-up. Technological limitations prevented the measurement of specific IgE for S. commune and IgG for S. commune and Penicillium sp. in most patients. Computed tomography revealed central bronchiectasis, pulmonary infiltration and mucous plugs in all patients. CONCLUSION: Causative fungi other than Aspergillus sp. are not uncommon, and immunological tests for other fungi should be popularized. Asthma and characteristic laboratory findings, such as peripheral blood eosinophilia, increased serum IgE and precipitating antibodies, may not always be required to diagnose ABPM. The importance of typical pathologic findings of mucous plugs for diagnosing ABPM requires reevaluation. Further studies are needed to establish more elaborate diagnostic criteria for ABPM.

Deterioration of the immune response induced by sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in a rheumatoid arthritis patient with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

A 73-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate and prednisolone was admitted with dyspnea and ground-glass opacity on chest CT. We diagnosed her with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) based on a positive PCR analysis of Pneumocystis jirovecii and the presence of cysts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The PaO2 was 74.7 Torr on room air, and treatment with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim only was initiated. The hypoxemia and ground-glass opacity increased on hospital day 3, and the administration of adjunctive steroid therapy resulted in an improvement in the patient's condition. Although patients with PCP with HIV infection and hypoxemia are often treated with adjunctive steroid therapy to prevent adverse immune reactions, the efficacy of additive steroid administration in case of non-HIV PCP has not been established.

Development of multi-organ involvement including a left atrial myxoma-like lesion in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

A 76-year-old woman suffering from granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA) developed organizing pneumonia with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and microscopic hematuria. Prednisolone improved the hematuria and radiological findings; however, after tapering the dose of prednisolone, a posterior left atrial wall mass was detected in association with a fever. Both regressed spontaneously, although secretory otitis media and sinusitis were noted; the resected sinusitis specimen exhibited vasculitis highly suggestive of GPA. The clinical picture of GPA with multi-organ involvement can vary. Recognizing the various manifestations of GPA is therefore necessary in order to provide an appropriate diagnosis and disease management.

Characteristics of tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective single-center study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics of hospitalized patients suffering from tuberculosis with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing specifically on those treated without anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review to assess the characteristics of 1,022 hospitalized Japanese patients suffering from tuberculosis with and without RA between 2002 and 2011. RESULTS: Compared with the 995 non-RA patients with tuberculosis, the 24 RA patients with tuberculosis treated without anti-TNF therapy were older and predominantly female. They less frequently had a history of smoking, with a higher rate of underlying respiratory diseases, an impaired performance status and side effects. The three RA patients receiving anti-TNF therapy had extrapulmonary tuberculosis; however, the rate of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the other RA patients treated without anti-TNF therapy did not differ from that observed in the non-RA patients. Five patients died during hospitalization. The in-hospital mortality of the RA patients did not differ significantly from that of the non-RA patients. Independent factors contributing to in-hospital mortality did not include RA. CONCLUSION: In this study, the RA patients treated without anti-TNF therapy did not differ from the non-RA patients in terms of the rate of extrapulmonary tuberculosis or bilateral pulmonary lesions, although they did exhibit a higher frequency of side effects of antituberculosis treatment. RA was not found to be an independent factor contributing to in-hospital mortality.

A patient who survived primary seasonal influenza viral pneumonia: histologic findings obtained via bronchoscopy.

The histological findings and clinical course of primary seasonal influenza viral pneumonia have not been fully elucidated. We herein report the case of a 65-year-old man with primary seasonal influenza viral pneumonia. The patient presented with fever, myalgia, general fatigue and dyspnea of seven days duration. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral ground-glass opacity and consolidation. A rapid influenza virus antigen test was positive for influenza A virus. We diagnosed him as having community-acquired influenza pneumonia and started therapy with antibiotics plus oseltamivir; however, his symptoms, respiratory condition and radiological findings deteriorated. Polymerase chain reaction following bronchoscopy showed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid to be positive for the influenza A virus. A right lower lobe transbronchial lung biopsy revealed type II pneumocyte metaplasia, acute and chronic interstitial infiltrates and alveolar organization without hyaline membranes or fibrin thrombi in the vascular lumen. Treatment with prednisolone at a dose of 60 mg/day (1 mg/kg) resulted in an improvement. The patient was discharged on hospital day 15. Two weeks after admission, the serum antibody titer for influenza A (H3N2) had increased significantly. No other pathogens were found either serologically or in the respiratory samples, and we diagnosed the patient to therefore have primary influenza viral pneumonia.