Canine parainfluenza type 2 and Bordetella bronchiseptica infection produces increased bronchoalveolar lavage thromboxane concentrations in beagle puppies.

Acute infections in beagle puppies with canine parainfluenza virus type 2 (CP12), and CP12 in combination with Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) produce bronchiolitis and increased airways responsiveness to aerosolized histamine during the acute infection. In order to determine whether these observations were associated with increased levels of eicosanoids, the stable metabolites of thromboxane A2 and prostacylin, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF 1 alpha) respectively, and leukotriene B4 were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of 25 beagle puppies (age = 76 +/- 1 days, mean +/- SEM) 3-4 days after no infection (control, n = 6), inoculation with both CP12 and Bb (CP12-Bb, n = 11), inoculation with CP12 alone (CP12, n = 4), and inoculation with Bb alone (Bb, n = 4). In addition, plasma levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were measured before and after infection in the CP12-Bb and control groups. The BAL concentration of thromboxane B2 was increased in the CP12-Bb group (520 +/- 120 pg/ml), but not in the CP12 (88 +/- 40 pg/ml), Bb (235 +/- 100 pg/ml), or control groups (120 +/- 60 pg/ml, p less than 0.01). There also was a borderline increase in BAL concentration of LTB4 in the CP12-Bb group. No differences were observed in the BAL concentration of 6-keto PGF1 alpha. Furthermore, neither TXB2 nor PGF1 alpha was elevated in the plasma of control or CP12-Bb puppies. These data suggest that increased thromboxane concentrations in BAL fluid are associated with histamine hyperresponsiveness during acute infection in the CP12-Bb group.

Bronchoscopic evaluation of airway obstruction in campomelic dysplasia.

Campomelic dysplasia is a generalized disorder of cartilaginous growth and development, leading to early death from pulmonary insufficiency. We describe the airway dynamics as observed bronchoscopically in two affected infants. Both infants demonstrated anatomic compromise of the upper airway and diffuse laryngotracheobronchomalacia. Additionally, both had a characteristically small, bell-shaped thoracic cage. The abnormal airway dynamics produced serious inspiratory and expiratory obstruction in these infants and, in combination with the restrictive chest wall defect, led rapidly to the development of respiratory failure. While palliative procedures such as tracheostomy may temporarily improve airway dynamics, future respiratory tract insults may prove fatal.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology reflects airway inflammation in beagle puppies with acute bronchiolitis.

Beagle puppies infected with both canine parainfluenza virus type 2 (CPI2) and Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) develop more severe acute bronchiolitis and airways hyperresponsiveness than do those infected with CPI2 or Bb alone. The aim of our study was to characterize the inflammatory response associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, and to determine whether the inflammatory cell response of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) reflected changes in the bronchioles in this model. We investigated 25 beagle puppies (ages 76 +/- 5 days, mean +/- SEM) in four groups: controls (n = 6), or puppies inoculated with both CPI2 and Bb (CPI2-Bb) (n = 11), with only CPI2 (n = 4), or only Bb (n = 4). The puppies were killed 3-4 days after inoculation, the lungs excised, the intermediate lobe lavaged, and BALF and the bronchiolar wall tissue examined for neutrophils and other inflammatory cells. Control puppies had no evidence of inflammation. However, the CPI2-Bb puppies had developed cough and rhinitis, positive cultures for CPI2 and Bb, and a neutrophilic cellular response in both the bronchioles and the BALF. Puppies inoculated with only CPI2 or Bb had milder illnesses and no significant bronchiolar and BALF neutrophilic response. For all groups, the severity of bronchiolar wall inflammation correlated with the total number of BALF inflammatory cells, and bronchiolar wall neutrophil counts correlated with the percentage of neutrophils in the BALF. The illness and the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in the CPI2-Bb group were associated with airway neutrophilia. Our studies support the hypothesis that neutrophils are associated with airway dysfunction in this model, and the use of BALF to study the process.

Acute canine adenovirus 2 infection increases histamine airway reactivity in beagle puppies.

Acute infection with canine adenovirus was studied in 23 specific pathogen-free outbred beagle puppies (median age = 78 days, range = 67 to 86 days) to determine its effects on pulmonary function and airway responsiveness to aerosolized histamine. The following groups were studied: uninoculated (n = 6, Control); inoculated with canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2) (n = 11, Infected); and subclinical spontaneous infection with CAV2 (n = 6, Subclinical). While anesthetized with chloralose and mechanically ventilated, lung function and responsiveness to aerosolized histamine were measured 3 days before inoculation (Day -3), the day of inoculation (Day 0), and 3 to 4 (Day 3-4), 6 (Day 6), 8 to 10 (Day 8-10), and 12 to 14 (Day 12-14) days after inoculation. Histamine responsiveness was assessed by calculating the provocation concentration of histamine diphosphate to increase lung resistance (RL) to 150% (PC 150% RL), or decrease dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) to 75% (PC 75% Cdyn) of the response to saline [RL(sal) and Cdyn(sal), respectively]. Arterial blood gases, functional residual capacity (FRC), specific static lung compliance (spCst), RL, Cdyn, and histamine responsiveness were not significantly different on Day 0 among the groups (p greater than 0.05). Control and Subclinical puppies remained healthy, had a mean weight gain of 0.7 kg, and did not change their histamine responsiveness during the study period. Infected puppies developed moderate to severe clinical illnesses, had poor weight gain, and were histamine hyperresponsive on Days 3-4 and 6. One infected puppy died on Day 3-4, and two died on Day 6 of their illness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)