Induced sputum cellularity. Reference values and distribution in normal volunteers.

Abstract Sputum induction has recently been proposed as the only direct noninvasive method for measuring airway inflammatory indices. The reference values and the distribution of cells in induced sputum in a control population have not yet been well defined. We therefore evaluated data from a large number of healthy volunteers. One hundred fourteen healthy, nonatopic, nonsmoking volunteers without airway hyperreactivity were enrolled (age: 38 +/- 13 yr [mean +/- SD]; FEV(1): 105 +/- 10% predicted; provocative dose of methacholine inducing a 20% decrease FEV(1) > 3,200 microgram). Ninety-six subjects (84%) produced adequate analysis samples. The subjects had a normal age distribution. Their induced sputum was rich in macrophages (69.2 +/- 13%) and neutrophils (27.3 +/- 13%), and poor in eosinophils (0.6 +/- 0.8%), lymphocytes (1.0 +/- 1.2%), and epithelial cells (1.5 +/- 1.8%). Only macrophages and neutrophils showed a normal distribution; total and differential counts of other cells did not. We propose that these data be used in comparison of the induced sputum cells of normal subjects and those of patients with airway inflammation

Fluoro-edenitic fibres in the sputum of subjects from Biancavilla (Sicily): a pilot study

BACKGROUND: An excess of mortality for malignant neoplasms of the pleura in Biancavilla, promoted an investigation for pleural mesothelioma, disclosing 17 cases. As the absence of known sources of asbestos exposure, a local stone quarry, located near the inhabited area, used for the extraction of building materials, was investigated. Amphibolic fibres were found in the quarry and identified as fluoro-edenite "new end-member of the edenite / fluoro-edenite series" and recognized as the fluoro-edenite holotype by International Mineralogical Association – Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. A pilot study was performed to verify the feasibility of using spontaneous sputum as an exposure indicator for these fibres, in a context in which the use of aerosol-induced sputum technique would not be easily accepted. METHODS: Hypothesizing a behaviour of the new fibre analogous to that of asbestos, the determination of the free fibres and the ferruginous bodies in spontaneous sputum was carried out. Phase Contrast Optical Microscope and an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope fitted with X-ray energy dispersive analysis system (micro-analysis) were used to examine the samples. The criteria for inclusion in the study were: 1) subjects hospitalized for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms, 2) age ≥ 45 years, 3) residence in Biancavilla for at least 30 years. RESULTS: The preliminary findings are related to 12 subjects (7 females and 5 males). Uncoated fibres (with length > 5 μm, diameter < 3 μm, aspect ratio 3.1) and ferruginous bodies were searched. Six out of twelve subjects (4 females, 2 males) had at least one of the three samples positive for the presence of fluoro-edenite, confirmed by micro-analysis. The fibre concentration found in the sputum ranged from 0.04 to 10 fibres/g; the length from 20 to 40 μm, the diameter was < 0.5 μm. No ferruginous bodies were found in any of the samples. The four women with a positive sample were housewives. Of the two men with a positive sample, one was a farmer and the other a mason. Therefore, it may be assumed that the exposure to fluoro-edenitic fibres was mainly environmental. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of the pleural mesothelioma cases and the presence of fluoro-edenitic fibres in spontaneous sputum, evidence the need to study the biological activity of fluoro-edenitic fibres and the implementation of epidemiological monitoring systems

Distribution of data of selected portion of induced sputum cell count in normal volunteers.

Aim of this study was to test the value of normality and the distribution of cells in selected portion of induced sputum in normal volunteers

Rare Earth Pneumoconiosis: a New Case

A NEW CASE OF RARE EARTH (RE) PNEUMOCONIOSIS IS DESCRIBED. THE SUB- JECT HAD WORKED AS A PHOTOENGRAVER FOR 13 YEARS AND HAD NOT BEEN EX- POSED FOR 17 YEARS. CHEST X RAY SHOWED A DIFFUSE NODULAR PATTERN (Q 2/3 - ILO/1980). THE PATIENT WAS ASYMPTOMATIC DESPITE A RESTRICTI- VE SPIROMETRIC IMPAIRMENT. THE DIAGNOSIS DERIVED FROM THE FINDING, IN THE BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID, OF AN ABNORMAL LEVEL OF LA, CE, ND, SM, TB, YB, LU. THE PRESENCE OF THESE ELEMENTS WAS DEMONSTRATED WITH TWO METHODS: THE NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS AND (AS REGARDS CE ALO- NE) THE X RAY ENERGY SPECTROMETRY OF MINERAL PARTICLES OBSERVED WITH ELECTRON MICROSCOPE. ABNORMAL LEVELS OF RARE EARTHS WERE DEMONSTRATED ALSO IN THE NAILS, SUGGESTING AN ABSORPTION OF THE RE FROM THE LUNG.NA-NOT AVAILABL

Specific inhalation challenge with wheat flour in workers with suspected baker’s asthma

12nonemixedDE ZOTTI R; BOVENZI M.; NEGRO C; CIRLA A; INNOCENTI A; LORUSSO A; MARIANO A; PAGGIARO PL; TALINI D; PISATI G; ROMANO C; SULOTTO FDE ZOTTI, R; Bovenzi, Massimo; Negro, Corrado; Cirla, A; Innocenti, A; Lorusso, A; Mariano, A; Paggiaro, Pl; Talini, D; Pisati, G; Romano, C; Sulotto, F

Prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms in a general population sample from northern Italy

The European Community Respiratory Health Survey is an international survey of the general population which aims to establish whether there are significant variations in the prevalence of asthma among European countries. The present paper reports the prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in a sample of subjects living in three areas of northern Italy: Turin, Pavia, and Verona. Samples of residents 20\u201344 years old (3000 subjects in Turin and Verona and 1000 in Pavia) stratified by sex (M:E= 1/1) were randomly selected from local health authority lists in the three participating areas. To correct the observed prevalence estimate for nonresponse bias, a method proposed by Drane was applied. Of the sampled subjects, 86% (6031) participated in the survey. Two different definitions of asthma were adopted: 1) prevalence of asthma attack in the last 12 months; 2) prevalence of asthma attack or treatment with antiasthmatic drugs, or both wheezing apart from the common cold and wheezing with shortness of breath. This combination of symptoms has been called current asthma. According to these definitions, the prevalence of asthma attack was 3.47% (3.74%, in men and 3.14% in women), and the prevalence of current asthma was 5.01% (5.07% in men and 4.90% in women). The lowest prevalence was found in Pavia; the highest in Turin. Our findings support the hypothesis that the difference in prevalence reflects the difference in mortality