[The cellular kinetics in BAL fluid of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pulmonary function]

The cellular components of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis were analyzed in regard to the inhalation period of antigen in the environment before BAL procedure. BAL fluid in early phase of antigen inhalation contained increased percent of neutrophils as well as lymphocytes while low percent of neutrophils and prominent increase of lymphocytes in chronic antigen inhalation. Furthermore, the increased neutrophils in BAL fluid decreased rapidly after admission as cessation of antigen inhalation while the lymphocyte percent decreased gradually. In relation to respiratory function the lymphocyte percent showed statistically significant negative correlation with %TLC, %VC and %DLco. On the other hand the percent of neutrophils showed some relationship with the airway damage and inflammatory changes in early phase of this disease.