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Transient Airway Colonization Is Associated with Airway Inflammation After Lung Transplantation
Author(s) -
Vos R.,
Vanaudenaerde B. M.,
Dupont L. J.,
Van Raemdonck D. E.,
Verleden G. M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.01771.x
Subject(s) - neutrophilia , medicine , lung transplantation , airway , transplantation , lung , inflammation , immunology , gastroenterology , anesthesia
Lower airway tract colonization may trigger neutrophil‐mediated airway inflammation. We investigated whether transient airway colonization influences airway inflammation and pulmonary function after lung transplantation (LTx). In this retrospective study, stable LTx patients with consecutive broncho‐alveolar lavages (BAL), the first colonized and the second noncolonized, were included to create a Pooled group (P, n = 32) and a Gram Negative (GN, n = 14), Gram Positive (GP, n = 9) and Fungi (F, n = 9) subgroup. Similarly, LTx patients with consecutive, noncolonized BAL samples were included as Control group (C, n = 19). BAL analysis (cell counts, IL6, IL8) and forced expiratory volume (FEV 1 ) were compared between groups. In the P group and the GN subgroup, colonized BAL samples showed a significant increase in total cells, neutrophilia and IL8‐concentration and a significant decrease in FEV 1 , even when compared with the matched samples of the C group. A significant increase in neutrophilia was observed in the GP subgroup, but no other significant difference was found either in the GP and F subgroup or the C group. IL6 levels were not significantly different between groups. Transient airway colonization, especially with Pseudomonas‐like GN bacteria, in stable LTx patients may be associated with IL8‐dependent neutrophilic airway inflammation and a, albeit subtle, decrease in FEV 1 .