Comparison of the chest computed tomography findings between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and those with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Since the computed tomography (CT) findings of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease are similar to those of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), we often have difficulty differentiating the two. In this study, we compared the differences in chest CT findings and their locations between cases of PTB and Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MACLD). METHODS: The subjects were 100 MACLD patients and 42 PTB patients treated at our hospital from May 2005 to August 2015. The CT findings were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: PTB more frequently showed lung shadows with calcification inside the lesion, calcification of the mediastinal/hilar lymph node, and pleural effusion on CT than MACLD, while extensive bronchiectasis and granular/large shadows connected to bronchiectasis were more frequently observed with MACLD than PTB. For cavitary lesions, the thinnest part of the cavity wall with MACLD was thinner than that with PTB. Granular shadows, large shadows, and bronchiectasis were typically distributed to the right upper lobe and left upper division in PTB cases vs. the right intermediate lobe and left lingula in MACLD. CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT findings would therefore be useful for distinguishing PTB and MACLD when typical findings are observed.

Translational and Randomized Study of 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists for Evaluation of Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting Related Biomarkers.

Purpose We assessed the efficacy of palonosetron (PAL) in comparison to granisetron (GRA) for the treatment of CINV using the self-assessment questionnaires. In addition, we analyzed the serum levels of emetic various biomarkers. Methods We conducted a randomized study of 70 patients naïve to chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the late phase score on the MAT questionnaire. The plasma concentrations of the biomarkers were measured on days 1 and 3. Results There were no statistical differences in the scores on the questionnaires, but the mean values in response to PAL were higher than those in response to GRA. The value of ghrelin on day 1 was significantly higher for GRA than for PAL. Conclusions For the primary endpoint, the score of the late phase on the MAT questionnaire was not statistically different between the PAL and GRA treatment groups. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of ghrelin for the treatment of CINV. J. Med. Invest. 66 : 269-274, August, 2019.

Comparative analysis of tumor angiogenesis and clinical features of 55 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) of the lung is a rare tumor that usually has an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. Clinical and pathological features remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether tumor angiogenesis of PC is up-regulated compared to that in adenocarcinoma (AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 55 cases of PC and AD in which the patients had undergone either lung resection or autopsy and immunohistochemically examined the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and microvessel density (MVD) in tissue specimens. RESULTS: VEGF was expressed in many cases of both PC and AD with no significant differences between the groups. In contrast, the expression of HIF-1α and MVD were significantly greater in PC than AD. Median survival time of the PC group was 14.7 months and significantly shorter than that of the AD group. CONCLUSION: MVD and expression of HIF-1α are associated with angiogenesis in PC and confer a poorer prognosis. Tumor angiogenesis provides significant prognostic information regarding clinical outcome in patients with PC.

Comparison of clinical management of young and elderly asthmatics by respiratory specialists and general practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Asthmatic death in the elderly is a serious problem worldwide. Differences in clinical skill between respiratory specialists (RS) and general practitioners (GP) are important in asthma control. The aim of this study was to compare asthma management between RS and GP. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Shimane, Japan, in February 2009 using a questionnaire about patient background, treatment, asthma control test (ACT) and adherence to treatment. We secured the cooperation of 48 clinics (39 private clinics and 9 general hospitals). Asthmatics were divided into the elderly and young groups, and also into the RS and GP groups. RESULTS: Clinical data of 779 patients were available for analysis. Elderly patients constituted 464 (RS group: 192, GP group: 272), while those of the young group were 315 (RS group: 207, GP group: 108). RS prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) to their elderly and young patients more than GP. The total ACT score was higher in young RS group than in young GP group, but no such difference was noted in the elderly. Despite more asthma-related symptoms, the ACT showed that elderly GP asthmatics used fewer rescue inhalers than elderly RS. Self-assessment was higher in elderly GP than elderly RS asthmatics. Adherence to therapy was better in elderly patients than young patients. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly asthmatics treated by GPs underestimated the severity of their asthma and asthmatics seen by GPs were undertreated. The results stress the need to engage patients in educational activities, to adhere to guidelines, and to improve the coordination between GP and RS.

Association of EPAS1 gene rs4953354 polymorphism with susceptibility to lung adenocarcinoma in female Japanese non-smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (also called endothelial periodic acid-Schiff domain protein 1 [EPAS1]) seems to play an important role in some carcinogenesis, though there is no information on the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism of EPAS1 and lung cancer development. The aim of this study was to explore a possible association of the EPAS1 gene rs4953354 polymorphism with susceptibility to lung cancer. METHODS: A case-control study of 346 patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (adenocarcinoma = 249, squamous cell carcinoma = 97) and 247 healthy control subjects was carried out. A/G polymorphism within an intron 2 of the EPAS1 (rs4953354) was determined by direct sequencing. RESULTS: A frequency of lung adenocarcinoma patients with a minor allele G (A/G or G/G genotype) at the rs4953354 was much higher than that of controls (odds ratio, 1.800; 95% confidence interval, 1.161-2.791; p = 0.008). This association was more evident when analyzed using female never-smokers (odds ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-9.01; p = 0.017). Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor tended to be frequent in patients with G allele at the rs4953354, compared with those with other genotypes. CONCLUSION: The EPAS1 rs4953354 may be a potentially susceptible marker for development of lung adenocarcinoma, especially in female never-smokers.

Immunohistochemical comparison of biomarker expression in biopsy and surgical specimens of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Single tumors may show heterogeneity, and it is unclear whether biomarker expression in surgical and diagnostic biopsy samples correlates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified lung cancer patients who were diagnosed by biopsy and underwent surgery between January 2007 and October 2010 at the Shimane University Hospital, Shimane, Japan. Thirty-two patients were identified. The expression of four predictive biomarkers was assessed, namely excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 (ERCC1), ribonucleotide diphosphate reductase M1 (RRM1), thymidylate synthase (TS), and class III beta-tubulin (BT). We also compared immunohistochemical staining in diagnostic biopsy and corresponding resected surgical samples. RESULTS: Moderate correlation was seen between the expression of ERCC1, RRM1, TS, and BT in the biopsy and surgical specimens, with r values of 0.512 (p=0.003), 0.411 (p=0.020), 0.475 (p=0.006), and 0.404 (p=0.027), respectively. CONCLUSION: Assessment of biopsy samples with immunohistochemical staining is a feasible and reliable method for use in clinical decision making.

Nephrotoxicity induced by piperacillin­tazobactam in late elderly Japanese patients with nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia.

This study aimed to clarify the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of piperacillin­tazobactam (PIPC­ TAZ) in late elderly Japanese patients. This is the first antimicrobial pilot study in late elderly patients with nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia. After PIPC­TAZ administration, PIPC concentrations in plasma were measured chromatographically and the pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Efficacy, safety, and bacteriological evaluations were also carried out. The mean age was 85.0 years old and most of the patients were late elderly. Chest X-rays, body temperature, white blood cell count, and C reactive protein all improved significantly, and a high efficacy ratio of 90.9% was observed. Serious nephrotoxicity was observed in 4 cases (18.2%) after administration of PIPC­TAZ. Creatinine clearance (meanS.D.) measured before PIPC­TAZ therapy was significantly lower in the nephrotoxicity group (32.54.4 mL/min) than in the non-nephrotoxicity group (46.116.7 mL/min), although the ages were not different between the 2 groups. In the pharmacokinetic parameters for PIPC, total clearance was slightly lower in the nephrotoxicity group than in the non-nephrotoxicity group. However, no significant difference was observed in plasma PIPC levels between the 2 groups. In patients with renal impairment, especially with a creatinine clearance of <40 mL/ min, renal impairment was found to be an influencing factor for severe nephrotoxicity following PIPC­TAZ administration. In conclusion, the results suggest that physicians should pay close attention in order to avoid possible toxicity, and that deliberate administration planning and careful follow-up are required in late elderly patients with comprised organ dysfunction.

Cyclooxygenase 2 1195G > A polymorphism is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japanese and Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed during airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COX-2 promoter might contribute to differential COX-2 expression and subsequent interindividual variability in susceptibility to COPD. We investigated the association between COX-2 (-765G > C, -1195G > A) polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility in Japanese and Chinese patients. METHODS: COX-2 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism in 230 COPD patients (103 Japanese and 127 Chinese) and 273 healthy controls (129 Japanese and 144 Chinese). RESULTS: The frequency of -1195AA homozygote was significantly higher than the controls in Chinese COPD (adjusted OR = 2.43, 95%CI 1.14 - 4.19), Japanese COPD (adjusted OR = 2.25, 95%CI 1.06 - 4.76) and combined COPD groups (adjusted OR = 2.26, 95%CI 1.34 - 3.99). There was no difference in COX-2 -765G > C polymorphism between COPD and control groups in either Japanese or Chinese, while more Chinese individuals carried the -765C allele than Japanese in both groups (15.3% vs. 2.9% in COPD, 18.8% vs. 5.5% in control). Chinese individuals with the haplotype -765G:-1195A were at higher risk for COPD (adjusted OR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.05 - 3.55). CONCLUSIONS: The COX-2 -1195AA genotype is associated with increased risk for COPD in both Japanese and Chinese individuals. Although COX-2 -765G > C polymorphism was not associated with COPD in either ethnic group, the -765C allele frequency was higher in Chinese than Japanese and haplotype -765G-1195A may confer susceptibility to COPD in Chinese.

Efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam versus biapenem in late elderly patients with nursing- and healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Pneumonia is associated with an extremely high mortality rate in patients of late elderly age. Piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems are drugs of first choice for hospitalized patients with potentially resistant bacteria. We compared the efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam and biapenem. Among elderly patients with nursing- and healthcare-associated pneumonia, we extracted 53 patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and 53 patients treated with biapenem who were matched for sex, age, and severity of pneumonia. The average age was more than 80 years; most of the patients were middle- to oldest old in age. Although clinical efficacy was equally good, patients in the piperacillin/tazobactam group achieved significantly faster improvements on chest X-ray and body temperature on day 7. However, in the piperacillin/tazobactam group, nephrotoxicity frequently led to a need for a reduction in the dose or complete discontinuation of treatment. The average age of patients who developed significant nephrotoxicity was high, at 83.2 years. The biapenem group exhibited significantly better continuation of treatment than the piperacillin/tazobactam group. Toxicity profiles were different between the two groups. Hepatic toxicity was significantly higher in the biapenem group, whereas nephrotoxicity was significantly more common in the piperacillin/tazobactam group. Rate of decrease in bacteria was equally good between the two groups. Providing careful follow-up and conducting more detailed examinations, including studies to determine optimal dose and timing of administration, are necessary for the treatment of late elderly patients with numerous underlying diseases and potential organ dysfunctions.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of biapenem against pneumonia in the elderly and a study on its pharmacokinetics.

Although biapenem is used in the treatment of pneumonia, the clinical data on elderly patients are yet insufficient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was evaluating the efficacy and safety of biapenem against pneumonia in the elderly and its pharmacokinetics. The subjects were patients 65 years of age or older with pneumonia. Biapenem (300 mg) was administered once to three times per day. For some cases, the drug concentrations in plasma were measured chronologically. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in reference to the improvement in subjective symptoms and objective opinion. The primary outcome was efficacy rate at the end of treatment. Biapenem was effective in 17 of 20 subject cases (85.0 %). Regarding safety, although 4 cases experienced hepatic dysfunction and 1 case had nausea, these effects were not severe in all cases and administration was continued. There was no deterioration of renal function associated with biapenem. In 13 cases in which the trough value of biapenem was measured, there were no unacceptable side effects and the trough values were generally low. It is believed that biapenem (300 mg once to three times a day), even when taken by elderly people, does not accumulate and that the dosage is safe and appropriate. The changes in the predicted concentrations calculated with the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) software, which is based on previously reported population pharmacokinetic parameters, and those in the measured concentrations approximately matched. It is useful to plan biapenem administration using the PK-PD software when performing antibiotic chemical treatment.

Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of bi-weekly carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

AIM: We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and quality of life of elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with bi-weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy, and determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of this treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically- or cytologically-proven inoperable NSCLC, age of 70 years or older, no prior treatment, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2. Paclitaxel was administered in combination with carboplatin under a bi-weekly schedule. We determined the plasma concentrations of both drugs during therapy. RESULTS: The median patient age was 80 years. Using carboplatin at AUC 3, the MTD of paclitaxel was 100 mg/m(2). Both hematological and non-hematological toxicities were mostly mild and manageable. Although paclitaxel is predominantly metabolized in the liver, clearance was decreased in patients with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSION: Bi-weekly treatment, as described here, is feasible for elderly patients as a conventional regimen, particularly in the outpatient setting, due to its lower toxicity.

Tumor angiogenesis in 75 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) of the lung is a rare tumor that usually has an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. In this study, 75 cases of PC were reviewed to identify its clinical features, and we examined the expression of angiogenic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We immunohistochemically examined the expression of angiogenic factors in tissue specimens of PC. RESULTS: 66 males and 9 females were examined. The median survival time was 16.5 months. The stage and symptomatical diagnosis were significantly associated with the survival. In the immunohistochemical analyses, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was expressed in many cases of PC. A high score for angiogenesis was significantly related to a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PC should be considered an aggressive disease, and that the stage and symptomatical diagnosis are strong prognostic factors. Furthermore, tumor angiogenesis provides significant prognostic information about the clinical outcome in PC.

A retrospective analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy in elderly and non-elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

AIM: The number of elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing in Japan. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy in elderly and non-elderly NSCLC patients who received chemotherapy at Shimane University Hospital. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of survival in a series of 112 NSCLC patients treated from 2004 through 2009. We compared the data from the elderly group (≥ 70 years-of-age, 56 patients) with the non-elderly group (< 70 years-of-age, 56 patients) who had similar characteristics, such as sex and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. We analyzed the patient characteristics, therapeutic regimen, dose intensity, toxicity and survival time in both groups. RESULTS: The patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups; however, there was a significant difference between the choice of first-line therapeutic regimen. A platinum-doublet regimen was more frequently used in the non-elderly population (39.3% vs 64.3% for the elderly patients vs the non-elderly patients, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas single agents and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors were more frequent in the elderly population (26.8% vs 10.7%, 19.6% vs 7.1%; P < 0.05, respectively). The relative dose intensity was approximately 80% or higher for all regimens, and toxicity was acceptable. The median survival time was 24.4 months and 18.6 months in the elderly and non-elderly groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study suggests that elderly patients can safely receive effective chemotherapy similar to non-elderly patients under careful observation and management.

[A case of atypical drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome caused by isoniazid].

A 43-year-old man developed fever, systemic erythema, and hepatic dysfunction approximately 1 month after initiating treatment with oral allopurinol and anti-TB drugs. The high fever, skin rash, headache, vomiting, and general malaise aggravated even after discontinuation of the anti-TB drugs and allopurinol, and they continued for more than 2 weeks. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with atypical drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. Oral prednisolone was introduced at a dosage of 65 mg, and the systemic symptoms rapidly subsided. Drug lymphocyte stimulation test was positive for isoniazid and oxypurinol, a metabolite of allopurinol. The prednisolone dosage was gradually reduced with 3-7 day intervals, and the patient was discharged on day 31 without any recurrence of the symptoms. Although high fever and erythema occurred again upon resumption of isoniazid, the symptoms gradually improved with oral prednisolone. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with atypical drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome caused by isoniazid.

Coexistent emphysema delays the decrease of vital capacity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Although previous authors have reported single data point, yearly changes in respiratory function have not been examined in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). To quantify the annual changes in respiratory function of patients with CPFE and to examine the difference in survival between CPFE patients and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis without emphysema (IPF alone), 26 patients with CPFE and 33 IPF alone patients, whose respiratory function had been monitored for at least a year, were selected. The baseline of vital capacity percent predicted (VC% pred) in CPFE patients was greater than that in IPF-alone patients (86.6+/-24.0% vs. 72.8+/-19.4%, p=0.018). The annual decrease in VC% pred was significantly less in CPFE patients than in IPF-alone patients (-1.2+/-4.8% vs. -8.0+/-7.4%, p<0.001). Baseline ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV(1)/FVC%) in CPFE patients was lower than that in IPF-alone patients (76.6+/-8.5% vs. 85.2+/-6.7%, p<0.001). In the CPFE group, FEV(1)/FVC% tended to decrease with time (-0.5+/-2.2% per year), but, in contrast, it increased in IPF-alone patients (+1.1+/-3.4% per year) (p=0.036). Baseline of diffusing capacity percent predicted (DLco% pred) was significantly lower in CPFE patients than in IPF-alone patients (45.3+/-15.0% vs. 60.7+/-19.8%, p=0.003). The annual decrease in DLco% pred was lower in CPFE patients than in IPF-alone patients (-3.7+/-7.9% vs. -10.7+/-8.8%, p=0.042). There was no significant difference in the survival duration between 26 CPFE and 33 IPF-alone patients according to Kaplan-Meier analysis. Ventilatory and gas-exchange deterioration during the course of IPF became mild when emphysema was coexistent.

A phase II trial of gefitinib monotherapy in chemotherapy-naïve patients of 75 years or older with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib has shown modest activity in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after platinum-based chemotherapy. However, the activity of gefitinib as first-line chemotherapy remains unclear, especially unknown in elderly patients. A multicenter phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of gefitinib for elderly patients with chemotherapy-naïve NSCLC. METHODS: Elderly chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC, ECOG PS of 0-2, and adequate organ functions received 250 mg/day of gefitinib. The primary objective of this study was to determine the objective response rate (RR). Secondary endpoints were tolerability, disease-related symptom using lung cancer subscale (LCS) in FACT-L, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We investigated mutation status of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in cases with available tumor samples. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled, of whom 49 were eligible. Median age (range) was 80 (75-90) years. Thirty-two patients were female (65%) and 40 patients had adenocarcinoma (82%). The objective RR was 25% (CI 95%, 13-39). Median survival time was 10 months (CI 95%, 7-20) and 1-year survival rate was 50%. The most frequent adverse events were skin disorders (76%). Fifteen patients (30%) experienced toxicities >/=grade 3. There were four patients with possible interstitial lung disease including two treatment-related deaths. Symptom improvement rate using LCS was 49% at 4 weeks of gefitinib therapy. Tumor samples from 17 patients were analyzed for EGFR mutation status. EGFR mutations were detected in tumor tissues from 7 patients, of which 5 had partial responses (71%). CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib monotherapy is effective and relatively well tolerated in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Gefitinib has potential as a first-line therapeutic option in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

[Case of macrolide-ineffective Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia successfully treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin].

A 18-year-old man complaining of remittent fever and nonproductive cough visited a nearby clinic. He did not recover despite treatment of oral azithromycin. We admitted him because his chest radiograph showed consolidation in the left upper lung field. We diagnosed his pneumonia as co-infection by non-bacterial and bacterial pathogens, and initiated treatment with intravenous ampicillin and oral clarithromycin. On the 3rd day after admission his symptom had not improved, so his treatment was changed to intravenous panipenem/betamipron and erythromycin. Ciprofloxacin was administered intravenously because consolidative shadows with atelectasis increased on the chest radiograph on the 6th day. Clinical symptoms such as fever, CRP and chest radiograph findings were rapidly improved after the start of ciprofloxacin treatment. He was discharged on the 22nd hospital day. Since serum antibody titer against Mycoplasma pneumoniae was elevated to x 20,480 on the 13th hospital day, it is confirmed that causative pathogen was macrolide-ineffective Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.

[Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens cultured from sputum of a patient who received total gastrectomy for gastric cancer].

A 79-year old woman underwent total gastrectomy under the diagnosis of gastric cancer in Feb. 2003. In the beginning of Jan. 2005, she noticed hemosputum and was admitted to our hospital. Chest radiograph and CT disclosed bilateral upper lobe-dominant nodular opacities in the subpleural areas and ground-glass opacities in right S6. Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed, but no useful information for the diagnosis was obtained. Ziehl-Neelsen stain was negative for the smear of the sputum at admission, but weakly stained acid-fast bacilli were grown in the MGIT culture. By the analysis of mycolic acid and menaquinone of the cell membrane, the bacilli were identified as Tsukamurella. Since she was asymptomatic and repeated sputum examination revealed negative bacilli, she has been observed at the outpatient clinic without any treatment.

[An autopsy case of non-specific interstitial pneumonia].

An autopsy case of fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is herein reported. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of dry cough and fever that had continued for a month. Her chest radiograph showed diffuse reticular shadows in both lower lung fields. Analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed an increase in the percentage of lymphocytes and a decrease in CD4/CD8 ratio. Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung biopsy revealed that she had fibrotic NSIP. She was treated with corticosteroid with a transient increase in vital capacity, but her condition gradually deteriorated, associated with a decrease in lymphocytes and an increase in CD4/CD8 ratio shown by repeated measurement of BALF. She died 6 years after the diagnosis. The autopsied lungs showed diffuse consolidated lesions predominantly in both lower lung fields, without honeycombing. Histologically, the lung parenchyma was diffusely involved with homogeneous fibrosis, compatible with fibrotic NSIP. However, mononuclear cell infiltration was less severe, and collagen deposition was more extensive than shown by the VATS specimen. There is a possibility that the CD4/CD8 ratio in BALF may reflect the severity of fibrosis in the lung parenchyma. Histological differences between autopsy and biopsy specimens in this case could help to elucidate the natural course of fibrotic NSIP.