Primary alveolar hypoventilation syndrome complicated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

A 32-year-old woman was transported to our hospital by ambulance because of loss of consciousness and breathing induced by drug intoxication. After general status was recovered, her arterial blood gas analysis under breathing room air revealed hypercapnia and hypoxemia which were caused by hypoventilation. After exclusion of apparent pulmonary, neuromuscular and central nerve diseases, she was diagnosed with primary alveolar hypoventilation syndrome.

Predictors for typical asthma onset from cough variant asthma.

Cough variant asthma is recognized to be a precursor of asthma or preasthmatic state because nearly 30% patients with cough variant asthma develop typical asthma within several years. However, predictors for risk of typical asthma onset from cough variant asthma are unknown. Forty-one patients with cough variant asthma (median age 50 years, 13 men and 28 women), who had undertaken spirometry, bronchial reversibility test, methacholine provocation test, measurements of peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum total IgE, and specific IgE to common allergens, and induced sputum eosinophil count at presentation, were followed up with special emphasis on typical asthma onset during 1 year or more (median 4 years, range 1-12.

Importance of atopic cough, cough variant asthma and sinobronchial syndrome as causes of chronic cough in the Hokuriku area of Japan.

Objective: A prospective multicentre study was conducted to elucidate the causes of chronic cough in Japan.

Methodology: All consecutive and unselected patients complaining of cough lasting 8 weeks or more, who visited our clinics from 1 June to 31 December 2001, were registered. The causes of chronic cough were diagnosed based on the criteria for definite and probable causes of cough as recommended by the Japanese Cough Research Society.

In vivo PAF-induced airway eosinophil accumulation reduces bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine.

Chronic eosinophilic bronchitis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness have been considered to be the fundamental features of bronchial asthma. However, the role of airway eosinophils in bronchial responsiveness in vivo has not been fully discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effect of airway eosinophil accumulation on bronchial responsiveness in vivo.

A guinea pig model for cough variant asthma and role of tachykinins.

Cough variant asthma is known as a major cause of chronic cough. Fundamental features of cough variant asthma are prolonged nonproductive cough responding to bronchodilator therapy, no history of wheezing or dyspnea attack, normal cough sensitivity, and slightly increased bronchial responsiveness. Animal model of cough variant asthma has not been reported.

Enhanced airway inflammation and decreased subepithelial fibrosis in interleukin 6-deficient mice following chronic exposure to aerosolized antigen.

Background: Airway inflammation and remodelling are characteristic features of chronic asthma.

Objective: To elucidate the role of interleukin (IL)-6 in airway responses to chronic antigen exposure.

Methods: We compared airway inflammation, subepithelial collagen deposition, cytokine mRNA expression, and airway responsiveness between IL-6-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice following sensitization and repeated exposure to ovalbumin (OVA) three times a week for 8 weeks.

Importance of the angiotensin type 1 receptor in angiotensin II-induced bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the guinea pig.

Although angiotensin II (Ang II) causes bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in mildly asthmatic patients, the responsible mechanisms for these reactions are unclear. The authors examined the effect of intravenous infusion of Ang II on airway constriction in guinea pigs. Furthermore, the effects of subthreshold concentrations of Ang II on bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were investigated.

Airway eosinophil accumulation on sensory neuropeptide release in a guinea pig model of distilled-water-induced bronchoconstriction.

Background: Increased numbers of eosinophils in the airways is characteristic of asthma. However, it remains unclear whether airway eosinophils enhance or reduce the release of neuropeptides in the airways in vivo. This study was conducted to elucidate the influence of airway eosinophil accumulation on the ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW)-induced bronchoconstriction in our newly developed animal model, which is mediated by sensory neuropeptides.

Longitudinal decline in pulmonary function in atopic cough and cough variant asthma.

Objective: Cough variant asthma and atopic cough are different clinical manifestations of eosinophilic airway inflammation presenting with isolated chronic non-productive cough. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal change in pulmonary function in cough variant asthma and atopic cough.

Methods: Longitudinal change in FEV1 was prospectively examined in 20 patients with cough variant asthma, 14 patients with atopic cough and 271 asymptomatic healthy subjects.