[CD8 dominant sarcoidosis in bronchoalveolar lavage]

In patients with sarcoidosis, we examined the differences in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) findings between a low CD4/8 ratio group (< or = 1: n = 7) and a high CD4/8 ratio group (> or = 4: n = 47). On initial examination, no significant difference in gender, age, serum ACE level, eye lesions, or skin lesions was observed between the two groups, but the rate of negative PPD skin tests was significantly lowered in the low CD4/8 ratio group. No significant difference in initial BALF findings was observed between the two groups. In the low CD4/8 ratio group, the CD4/8 ratio increased significantly after three years from the initial BALF, but not in the high CD4/8 ratio group. The CD4/8 ratio is not associated with the clinical manifestation on first examination, but our data suggest that there may be some differences in clinical manifestations at the first examination and in the changes with time in the BALF findings between two groups. However, a greater accumulation of data is necessary before this can be confirmed.