[Lysozyme level and rheological properties of the sputum in patients with chronic bronchitis]

The authors presented some data on the lysozyme content and adhesion features of the sputum in 31 patients: 19 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and 12 patients with chronic bronchitis against a background of bronchial asthma. Marked reverse correlation between the lysozyme content and sputum adhesion values (r = -0.79) was found. With the subsiding of exacerbation and remission occurrence the lysozyme content increased and a sputum adhesion value reduced. In the exacerbation phase the mean lysozyme content in the sputum was 3.6 +/- 0.1 mg/mg of protein, and in remission occurrence 6.9 +/- 0.2 mg/mg of protein. The adhesion value was 0.6 X 10(4) +/- 0.22 X 10(4) N/m2 and 0.32 X 10(4) +/- 0.01 X 10(4) N/m2, respectively. The time course of the lisozyme content in the sputum of patients with chronic bronchitis can be used as a prognostic factor to assess remission occurrence rates and the nature of change of rheological features of the sputum.