[Determination of the activity and control of the course of sarcoidosis using bronchoalveolar lavage]

The active stage of sarcoidosis is marked by lymphocyte-rich alveolitis with predominance of helper-T-lymphocytes. 8 patients with sarcoidosis were investigated by bronchoalveolar lavage. Of these patients, 5 proved to have high-intensity and 3 low-intensity alveolitis. It was observed that the total number of helper-T-lymphocytes in the lavage liquid was many times higher than in the patients with low-intensity alveolitis. 4 of the 5 patients with high-intensity alveolitis were treated with prednisone. Parallel to the radiological, functional and clinical improvement, a significant decrease in the absolute number of helper-T-lymphocytes was observed in the lavage liquid, as well as a decrease in the ratio of helper- to suppressor-T-lymphocytes.