Changes in Antibody Levels during and following an Episode of Acute Adenolymphangitis (ADL) among Lymphedema Patients in Léogâne, Haiti.

INTRODUCTION: Episodes of acute adenolymphangitis (ADL) are often the first clinical sign of lymphatic filariasis (LF). They are often accompanied by swelling of the affected limb, inflammation, fever, and general malaise and lead to the progression of lymphedema. Although ADL episodes have been studied for a century or more, questions still remain as to their etiology. We quantified antibody levels to pathogens that potentially contribute to ADL episodes during and after an episode among lymphedema patients in Léogâne, Haiti. We estimated the proportion of ADL episodes hypothesized to be attributed to specific pathogens. METHODS: We measured antibody levels to specific pathogens during and following an ADL episode among 41 lymphedema patients enrolled in a cohort study in Léogâne, Haiti. We calculated the absolute and relative changes in antibody levels between the ADL and convalescent time points. We calculated the proportion of episodes that demonstrated a two-fold increase in antibody level for several bacterial, fungal, and filarial pathogens. RESULTS: Our results showed the greatest proportion of two-fold changes in antibody levels for the carbohydrate antigen Streptococcus group A, followed by IgG2 responses to a soluble filarial antigen (BpG2), Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin B, and an antigen for the fungal pathogen Candida. When comparing the median antibody level during the ADL episode to the median antibody level at the convalescent time point, only the antigens for Pseudomonas species (P-value = 0.0351) and Streptolysin O (P-value = 0.0074) showed a significant result. CONCLUSION: Although our results are limited by the lack of a control group and few antibody responses, they provide some evidence for infection with Streptococcus A as a potential contributing factor to ADL episodes. Our results add to the current evidence and illustrate the importance of determining the causal role of bacterial and fungal pathogens and immunological antifilarial response in ADL episodes.

[Clinical features and diagnosis of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) is a special type of pulmonary metastasis of carcinoma. It is easy to be misdiagnosed as other pulmonary interstitial diseases. This study was to discuss the clinical features of PLC, and provide experience information for diagnosis, differentiated diagnosis, and evaluation of prognosis of PLC. METHODS: A retrospective comparison analysis was performed on 43 PLC patients with pathologic diagnosis and 46 patients with other pulmonary interstitial diseases with clear etiology in the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University within the past decade. RESULTS: In PLC group, 20 patients were found with primary lung cancer; 23 patients were found with primary non-pulmonary carcinoma: 9 cases of breast cancer, 8 cases of large intestinal carcinoma, and 6 cases of gastric carcinoma. The changes of imaging included linear and radiating appearances from the hilum to the outer part even extending to the pleura with nodules, ground-glass opacity of the lung. Enlargement of lymph nodes in mediastinum was present in 51.2% (22/43) and that in pleural effusion was present in 53.5% (23/43) of patients. Extrapulmonary manifestations (metastasis) included 19 cases (44.2%) of lymph nodes to the supraclavicular region, axillary fossa, and post-peritoneal region, 15 cases (34.9%) to the pleura, 9 cases (20.9%) to the bones, 6 cases (14.0%) to the liver, 3 cases (7.0%) to the pericardium, and 3 cases (7.0%) to the brain. The elevated serum level of CEA was commonly observed (23/43, 53.5%). Respiratory manifestations of PLC, such as coughing, panting, dyspnea, and so on, could not be cured by anti-spasm treatment. The development of PLC was so progressive that 31 patients (72.1%) were followed for only 2-7 months before death. The changes of imaging in other pulmonary interstitial disease group included irregular linear or reticular appearances, enlargement of lymph nodes in the mediastinum and hilum, and extrapulmonary manifestations like pleural effusion were not observed. Respiratory manifestations, such as coughing, panting, dyspnea, and so on, could be cured by anti-spasm treatment. Moreover, the development of PLC was relatively slow. CONCLUSIONS: PLC often occurs in patients with primary carcinoma in lung, breast, large intestine, stomach, and so on. More attention should be paid to the diagnosis of PLC in patients who have pulmonary interstitial lesions as described above, and whose respiratory symptoms could not be relieved by anti-spasm treatment and developed progressively. The prognosis of PLC is poor.