Quantification of human cytomegalovirus using bronchoalveolar lavage cells in pulmonary complications associated with hematologic neoplasia.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been recognized as a frequent pathogen involved in interstitial pneumonia (IP), and CMV-IP is a severe and life-threatening complication in the immunocompromised patients. The use of real-time PCR in molecular diagnostics has increased to the point where it is now accepted as the gold standard for detecting a wide variety of templates including viruses. Therefore, we developed a rapid quantification system of CMV using a LightCycler in order to clarify the possible role of CMV reactivation in patients with hematologic neoplasia showing pulmonary complications.

Increased collagenase activity in macrophages from bronchial lavage as a diagnostic marker of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cancer metastasis have been studied. Macrophages are considered to release MMPs in the tissues of patients with lung cancer.

Methods: Intracellular collagenase activity was measured in CD14+ CD45+ cells from bronchial lavage fluid to establish a new diagnostic tool for lung cancer.

[A case of spinal sarcoidosis complaining of chest and back pain as a first manifestation and mimicking syringomyelia on MRI].

The patient was a 24-year-old female complaining of bell-shaped chest and back pain with visual disturbance. Chest X-ray showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy without the presence of pleural effusion. Bronchoalveolar fluid showed lymphocytosis with an elevated CD 4/CD 8 ratio.