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Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Inhalation challenge in pigeon breeder's disease: BAL fluid changes after 6 hours
S P Reynolds1, K P Jones, J H Edwards
1Asthma & Allergy Unit, Sully Hospital, South Glamorgan, UK.
The European Respiratory Journal
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Pigeon breeders exposed to pigeon serum developed lymphocytic and neutrophilic alveolitis. The severity of this lung inflammation correlated with their clinical response to the challenge.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an immune-mediated lung disease.
- Pigeon breeders lung is a common form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- Cellular mechanisms underlying pigeon breeders lung are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cellular events in pigeon breeders 6 hours after bronchial inhalation challenge.
- To correlate cellular changes with clinical response severity.
Main Methods:
- Bronchial inhalation challenge with pigeon serum or saline.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed before and 6 hours after challenge.
- Analysis of BAL fluid for cell counts (total, differential, lymphocytes, neutrophils) and cytokines.
- Monitoring of clinical symptoms, body temperature, and spirometry.
Main Results:
- Responders showed significant increases in total cells, lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and neutrophils in BAL fluid.
- A monitoring score of patient response severity correlated with increased cell counts.
- Increased lymphocytic and neutrophilic alveolitis was observed in responders.
Conclusions:
- Inhalation challenge induces a mixed lymphocytic and neutrophilic alveolitis in susceptible pigeon breeders.
- The degree of alveolitis correlates with the clinical severity of the hypersensitivity response.
- These findings elucidate cellular events in the early phase of pigeon breeders lung.
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