The Presence of T Allele (rs35705950) of the MUC5B Gene Predicts Lower Baseline Forced Vital Capacity and Its Subsequent Decline in Patients with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an exposure-related interstitial lung disease with two phenotypes-fibrotic and non-fibrotic. Genetic predisposition is an important factor in the disease pathogenesis and fibrosis development. Several genes are supposed to be associated with the fibrosing cascade in the lungs. One of the best-recognized and most prevalent is the common MUC5B gene promoter region polymorphism variant rs35705950. The aim of our study was to establish the frequency of the minor allele of the MUC5B gene in the population of patients with HP and to find the relationship between the MUC5B promoter region polymorphism and the development of lung fibrosis, the severity of the disease course, and the response to the treatment in patients with HP. Eighty-six consecutive patients with HP were tested for the genetic variant rs35705950 of the MUC-5B gene. Demographic, radiological, and functional parameters were collected. The relationship between the presence of the T allele and lung fibrosis, pulmonary function test parameters, and the treatment response were analyzed. The minor allele frequency in the study group was 17%, with the distribution of the genotypes GG in 69.8% of subjects and GT/TT in 30.2%. Patients with the GT/TT phenotype had significantly lower baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) and significantly more frequently had a decline in FVC with time. The prevalence of lung fibrosis in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was not significantly increased in GT/TT variant carriers compared to GG ones. The patients with the T allele tended to respond worse to immunomodulatory treatment and more frequently received antifibrotic drugs. In conclusions: The frequency of MUC5B polymorphism in HP patients is high. The T allele may indicate a worse disease course, worse immunomodulatory treatment response, and earlier need for antifibrotic treatment.

SARS-CoV-2 lung disease in a patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis - case report

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the recently identified cause of the current pandemic. In patients with chronic respiratory lung diseases, SARS-CoV-2 may result in significant morbidity and increased mortality. We present a case of a 69-year-old male with stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis who had been under observation for 30 months without immunosuppressive treatment. He then developed severe SARS-CoV-2 disease with typical radiological and laboratory findings. Therapy with oxygen, antibiotics, low-molecular-weight heparin in a prophylactic dose, and dexamethasone resulted in marked clinical improvement. We will discuss the rationale for corticosteroid use in both SARS-CoV-2 disease and in SARS-CoV-2 disease that is complicating comorbid sarcoidosis.

Combined Emphysema and Interstitial Lung Disease as a Rare Presentation of Pulmonary Involvement in a Patient with Chronic Visceral Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (Niemann-Pick Disease Type B)

BACKGROUND Niemann-Pick disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 gene. It results in acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) and sphingomyelin intracellular accumulation. Lung disease is diagnosed mostly in chronic visceral ASMD. Ground-glass opacities and smooth interlobular septal thickening are described most frequently. They are localized predominantly in the lower parts of both lungs. CASE REPORT The authors describe a rare type of lung involvement, composed of emphysema and interstitial lung disease (ILD), in a nonsmoking adult male with chronic visceral ASMD. Areas of ground-glass opacities and lung fibrosis presenting as reticulation and bronchiectasis have been described in high-resolution computed tomography of the lungs. The radiological findings were localized predominantly in the middle and lower parts of both lungs. Large air spaces of marginal emphysema, localized in the upper lobes, were also demonstrated. Foamy macrophages, staining blue with May-Grünwald-Giemsa, were found in bronchoalveolar lavage, confirming lung involvement in the course of ASMD. The course of disease was stable, with no hypoxemia at rest. Nevertheless, because of markedly decreased lung transfer for carbon monoxide and significant desaturation on exertion, further controls have been planned, with qualification for long-term oxygen therapy in case of deterioration. CONCLUSIONS We present a unique type of lung involvement, combined emphysema and ILD, in a nonsmoking adult patient with chronic visceral ASMD. On such occasion chronic obstructive pulmonary disease coexisting with ILD as well as chronic pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome should be excluded.

Czynniki predysponujące do rozwoju mykobakteriozy płuc u chorych z obecnością prątków niegruźliczych w materiałach z dróg oddechowych

Wstęp: W ostatnich latach w większości krajów Europy i w Stanach Zjednoczonych jest notowany wzrost częstości zakażeń układu oddechowego prątkami niegruźliczymi. Nie ma jednak zgodności opinii na temat wpływu różnych czynników na rozwój mykobakteriozy płuc w tej grupie chorych. Celem niniejszej pracy retrospektywnej było poszukiwanie czynników ryzyka mykobakteriozy płuc, w grupie chorych, u których wyhodowano prątki niegruźlicze z dróg oddechowych. Materiał i metody: Badaną grupę stanowiło 73 chorych, 23 mężczyzn i 50 kobiet, mediana wieku wyniosła 62.2 roku, z dodatnimi wynikami posiewów plwociny/wydzieliny oskrzelowej w kierunku prątków niegruźliczych, uzyskanymi w latach 2010–2015. Wyniki: Mykobakteriozę płuc (według American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America) rozpoznano u 36 chorych, kolonizację dróg oddechowych—w 37 przypadkach. Mykobakteriozę rozpoznawano istotnie częściej u chorych zakażonych M. kansasii, M. abscessus i M. avium/M. intracellulare w porównaniu z chorymi zakażonymi M. xenopi, M. gordonae i M. fortuitum (p < 0.0001). Wśród chorych na mykobakteriozę, w porównaniu z grupą z kolonizacją prątkami niegruźliczymi, było istotnie więcej kobiet niż mężczyzn (p < 0.007) oraz więcej chorych z wywiadem przebytej gruźlicy płuc lub mykobakteriozy (odpowiednio 28% i 8%, p = 0.038). Wykazano, że zakażenie M. kansasii, płeć żeńska oraz przebyta gruźlica lub mykobakterioza były istotnymi czynnikami predykcyjnymi aktualnego rozpoznania mykobakteriozy płuc. Wniosek: W badanej grupie chorych ryzyko zachorowania na mykobakteriozę było istotnie większe u kobiet, osób zakażonych M. kansasii oraz z przebytą gruźlicą lub mykobakteriozą płuc w przeszłości.

Interferon Gamma Release Assays in Patients with Respiratory Isolates of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria - a Preliminary Study

Interferon gamma releasing assays (IGRAs) are extensively used in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infections. Comparing to tuberculin skin test (TST) they lack false positive results in the populations vaccinated with BCG, and in most non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. Nevertheless, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium marinum, and Mycobacterium szulgai may induce positive IGRAs due to RD1 homology with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible influence of NTM respiratory isolates on the results of IGRAs. 39 patients (23 females and 16 males) of median age 61 years, with negative medical history concerning tuberculosis, entered the study. Identification of NTM was performed using the niacin test and molecular method GenoType CM test (Hain Lifescience). QFT-Plus was performed in 17 patients, T-SPOT-Tb - in 23 patients. Chest X-rays and a high-resolution computed tomography of the chest have been reviewed by the experienced radiologist blinded to the results of IGRAs, in search of past tuberculosis signs. Positive IGRAs results were obtained in three out of 39 patients (8%): 22% of patients with M. kansasii isolates and 18% of patients with radiological signs on HRCT that might be suggestive of past tuberculosis. Positive IGRAs correlated with radiological signs suggestive of past tuberculosis (r = 0.32, p = 0.04), and on the borderline with isolation of M. kansasii (r = 0.29, p = 0.06). These findings may suggest that a positive IGRAs result, in our material, could depend mostly on asymptomatic past Tb infection. The cross-reactivity of M. kansasii isolates with IGRAs was less probable; nevertheless, it requires further investigations.

Interferon gamma releasing assays (IGRAs) are extensively used in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infections. Comparing to tuberculin skin test (TST) they lack false positive results in the populations vaccinated with BCG, and in most non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. Nevertheless, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium marinum, and Mycobacterium szulgai may induce positive IGRAs due to RD1 homology with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible influence of NTM respiratory isolates on the results of IGRAs. 39 patients (23 females and 16 males) of median age 61 years, with negative medical history concerning tuberculosis, entered the study. Identification of NTM was performed using the niacin test and molecular method GenoType CM test (Hain Lifescience). QFT-Plus was performed in 17 patients, T-SPOT-Tb – in 23 patients. Chest X-rays and a high-resolution computed tomography of the chest have been reviewed by the experienced radiologist blinded to the results of IGRAs, in search of past tuberculosis signs. Positive IGRAs results were obtained in three out of 39 patients (8%): 22% of patients with M. kansasii isolates and 18% of patients with radiological signs on HRCT that might be suggestive of past tuberculosis. Positive IGRAs correlated with radiological signs suggestive of past tuberculosis (r = 0.32, p = 0.04), and on the borderline with isolation of M. kansasii (r = 0.29, p = 0.06). These findings may suggest that a positive IGRAs result, in our material, could depend mostly on asymptomatic past Tb infection. The cross-reactivity of M. kansasii isolates with IGRAs was less probable; nevertheless, it requires further investigations.

Factors predisposing to non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in the patients with respiratory isolates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria

INTRODUCTION

An increasing incidence rate of respiratory isolates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been noted recently in most European countries as well as in the US. Despite many publications, there is no consensus concerning the importance of different factors in promoting NTM lung disease (NTMLD). The aim of the present retrospective study was to analyse patients with positive NTM respiratory isolates in search of factors predisposing to NTMLD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

73 patients, 23 males, 50 females, median age 62.2 years, in whom NTM have been cultured from respiratory specimen (sputum and/or bronchial washings), in the period 2010-2015, entered the study.

RESULTS

NTMLD (according to ATS/IDSA) has been recognised in 36 patients, airways colonisation by NTM - in 37 patients. NTMLD was diagnosed more often in the patients infected with M. kansasii, M. abscessus and M. avium/M. intracellulare comparing to those infected with M.xenopi, M. gordonae and M. fortuitum (p < 0.0001). The proportion of females to males was significantly higher in the NTMLD group comparing to the colonisation group (p < 0.007). Previous tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis were noted significantly more frequently in the group of patients with NTMLD comparing to the colonisation group (28% vs 8%, p = 0.038). Univariate regression analysis revealed M. kansasii, female gender, and previous tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis as significant predictors of NTMLD.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors of NTMLD recognition in the presented group of patients were the following: female gender, M. kansasii isolation, as well as past tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis.

Mykobakterioza Płuc u Chorego na Przewlekłą Obturacyjną Chorobę płuc i Rozstrzenie Oskrzeli, Przebiegająca z Obrazem Radiologicznym Guza Płuca

Mykobakteriozy to choroby wywoływane przez prątki niegruźlicze (NTM, nontuberculous mycobacteria), zwane również prątkami atypowymi. Prątki niegruźlicze występują powszechnie w środowisku, głównie w glebie i wodzie. Mogą kolonizować drogi oddechowe, przewód pokarmowy i układ moczowo-płciowy człowieka, nie wywołując objawów choroby. Do zachorowania dochodzi przede wszystkim w grupach ryzyka, między innymi u chorych na przewlekłe choroby płuc oraz z obniżoną odpornością. W ostatnich latach obserwuje się zwiększenie liczby przypadków mykobakteriozy u chorych na przewlekłą obturacyjną chorobę płuc (POChP), szczególnie w przypadku stosowania długotrwałej steroidoterapii wziewnej. W pracy opisano przypadek mykobakteriozy wywołanej przez Mycobacterium avium u chorego na POChP i rozstrzenie oskrzeli, u którego obraz kliniczny i radiologiczny sugerowały obecność guza płuca.

Non-high risk PE in the patients with acute or exacerbated respiratory disease: the value of the algorithm based on D-dimer evaluation and Revised Geneva Score

INTRODUCTION

The diagnostic algorithm of non-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is based on probability scoring systems and plasma D-dimer (DD) assessment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Revised Geneva Scoring (RGS) and DD testing for the excluding of non-high risk PE, in the patients admitted to the hospital due to acute respiratory diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The consecutive patients, above 18 years of age, referred to the department of lung diseases, entered the study. The exclusion criteria were: the pregnancy and the suspicion of high risk PE. Plasma DD was measured with quick ELISA test, VIDAS D-dimer New, bioMerieux, France. Multislice computed tomography angiography was performed in all of the patients.

RESULTS

153 patients, median age 65 (19-88) years entered the study. The probability of PE was: low - in 58 patients (38%), intermediate - in 90 (59%), high - in 5 (3%). DD < 500 ng/ml was found in 12% of patients with low and intermediate probability of PE. PE was recognized in 10 out of 153 patients (7%). None of the patients with DD < 500 ng/ml was diagnosed with PE (NPV 100%). Median DD value was significantly higher in PE patients comparing to non-PE (4500 ng/ml and 1356 ng/ml respectively, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

In the group of the patients with acute respiratory symptoms, low or intermediate clinical probability scoring combined with normal DD had a high NPV in excluding PE. Nevertheless, such approach was not very effective, as the increased DD was noted in 88% of the examined population.

Zmiany śródmiąższowe w Płucach u Chorych na Zapalenie Wielomięśniowe i Skórno-Mięśniowe—Prezentacja Trzech Przypadków

Zapalenia wielomięśniowe (PM) i skórno-mięśniowe (DM) należą do układowych chorób tkanki łącznej charakteryzujących się osłabieniem siły mięśni proksymalnych oraz zajęciem różnych narządów wewnętrznych, w tym często płuc. Do zmian płucnych w przebiegu PM/DM należą: zapalenia naczyń z rozlanym krwawieniem pęcherzykowym oraz choroba śródmiąższowa płuc (ILD), która jest najczęstszą płucną manifestacją PM/DM, a jej występowanie znacznie pogarsza przebieg choroby i rokowanie. Patogeneza zmian śródmiąższowych w płucach nie jest dokładnie znana, wiadomo że dużą rolę w jej etiologii odgrywają mechanizmy autoimmunologiczne. Nie zaobserwowano związku między ciężkością choroby układowej tkanki łącznej a wystąpieniem zmian w płucach. Choroba śródmiąższowa płuc może się ujawnić w każdym momencie trwania choroby zapalnej mięśni, czasami wyprzedza jej objawy i rozpoznanie. Częstość wykrywania zmian śródmiąższowych w płucach zwiększa się wraz z czułością zastosowanych metod diagnostycznych — “złotym standardem” jest tomografia komputerowa płuc o wysokiej rozdzielczości. Lekiem pierwszego wyboru w leczeniu choroby śródmiąższowej płuc w przebiegu PM/DM są glikokortykosteroidy. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono przypadki 3 mężczyzn w średnim wieku, chorych na PM/DM, z towarzyszącymi zmianami śródmiąższowymi w płucach, każdy o innym przebiegu klinicznym i obrazie zmian radiologicznych. U wszystkich chorych wykonano badania obrazowe (radiogram i tomografię komputerową klatki piersiowej) oraz czynnościowe układu oddechowego. U wszystkich pacjentów charakter zmian płucnych potwierdzono badaniem histologicznym. U dwóch chorych rozpoznano niespecyficzne śródmiąższowe zapalenie płuc, u jednego — organizujące się zapalenie płuc z odczynem sarkoidalnym w okolicznych węzłach chłonnych. Z powodu zaburzeń w badaniach czynnościowych płuc, wszyscy pacjenci leczeni byli prednizonem, u dwóch chorych dodatkowo wdrożono leczenie azatiopryną lub cyclofosfamidem z dobrym efektem.

Interstitial Pneumonia Connected with Rituximab Therapy—Case Report

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of B cells. RTX causes cell lysis and is therefore used to treat lymphomas, leukaemias, transplant rejection and certain autoimmune disorders. Pulmonary adverse events associated with RTX have been reported in literature. We describe a patient with follicular lymphoma treated with R-CHOP scheme (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincri- stine, prednisone) who had pulmonary symptoms during chemotherapy which were diagnosed as rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonia. Symptoms and radiological changes resolved with prednisone therapy.

[Interstitial pneumonia connected with rituximab therapy--case report]

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of B cells. RTX causes cell lysis and is therefore used to treat lymphomas, leukaemias, transplant rejection and certain autoimmune disorders. Pulmonary adverse events associated with RTX have been reported in literature. We describe a patient with follicular lymphoma treated with R-CHOP scheme (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) who had pulmonary symptoms during chemotherapy which were diagnosed as rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonia. Symptoms and radiological changes resolved with prednisone therapy.

[Interstitial lung disease in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis--report of three cases]

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are connective tissue diseases (CTD) characterized by proximal muscle weakness along with changes in various internal organs, with the lungs most frequently involved. Presentation of the disease in the lungs comprises diffuse alveolar haemorrhage due to vasculitis and interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is the most frequent manifestation of CTD in the lungs and worsens the outcome and prognosis. The mechanisms involved in the ILD are not fully known, but the role of autoimmune response is unquestioned. No relationship between the severity of CTD and the changes in the lungs was observed. ILD may present at any time in the course of CTD, sometimes before the signs and symptoms of myositis occur. The more accurate imaging methods are, the more frequently changes in the lungs are detected. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a gold standard in ILD imaging. Treatment of PM/DM-related ILD relays on systemic glucocorticosteroids as the first choice drugs. We present three cases of PM/DM-related ILD in middle-aged men, with a different clinical and radiological presentation. In all cases, apart from imaging (plain X-ray and HRCT of the chest) and pulmonary function tests, histological evaluation of lung changes was performed. In two cases non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP) was diagnosed, and in the third--organizing pneumonia along with sarcoid changes in the lymph nodes. Because of decreased pulmonary function all patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids and two of them additionally with azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, and the outcome was good in all of them.