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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
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Monitoring Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G Activity in Human Sputum Samples
Published on: May 21, 2021
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Sputum neutrophilia in severe persistent asthmatics
Arshad Naseem1, Jahanzeb Liaqat2, S B H Zaidi1
1Department of Pulmonology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Summary
Sputum neutrophilia, an increase in neutrophils in sputum, is common in severe persistent asthma. Identifying this can help reduce unnecessary corticosteroid use in asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Severe persistent bronchial asthma is a significant respiratory condition.
- Neutrophilic inflammation plays a role in asthma pathogenesis.
- Current treatment guidelines for asthma often rely on clinical presentation and lung function tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of sputum neutrophilia in patients diagnosed with severe persistent bronchial asthma.
- To investigate the association between sputum neutrophilia and demographic factors in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 195 patients with severe persistent bronchial asthma (aged 12-40 years).
- Sputum samples were induced using 4.5% hypertonic saline, followed by centrifugation and differential neutrophil count.
- Data analysis was performed using SPSS 11 to calculate mean counts and percentages.
Main Results:
- Sputum neutrophilia was observed in 84 out of 195 patients (43.1%).
- The mean sputum neutrophilic percentage in patients with neutrophilia was 71.20 ± 4.24%.
- Males constituted a higher proportion of patients with sputum neutrophilia (56 males vs. 28 females).
Conclusions:
- Sputum neutrophilia is a frequent finding in severe persistent bronchial asthma.
- Identifying sputum neutrophilia may help guide treatment decisions, potentially reducing the reliance on corticosteroids and their side effects.
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