Pulmonary Function Abnormalities in Regard to Age at the Time of Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex syndrome caused by exaggerated immune response to inhalation of a variety of organic particles in susceptible individuals. In this study we assessed the relationship between age at the time of diagnosis and the degree of functional and radiological changes in HP. The diagnosis of HP was made on the basis of a combination of clinical symptoms, medical history, serological tests, radiologic evidence of diffuse lung disease, and absence of other identifiable causes of lung disease. We reviewed the records of 111 patients (68 women) diagnosed with HP over a period of 18 years (1995-2013). The patients were stratified into 3 age-groups: <30, 30-49, and ≥50 years old. The commonest cause of HP was avian antigens (56.8 %). Dyspnea was present in 97.3 % of patients, weight loss in 54.7 % of patients, and respiratory insufficiency in 24.3 % of patients. Lung fibrosis in chest computed tomography was found in 35.1 % of patients. Lung function was impaired more seriously in the youngest age-group, with lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <40 % in 69.2 % of these patients. Restrictive pattern was present in 92.3 % of patients in this group, as compared with the 41.0 % in the whole cohort. In this group, desaturation in the six minute walk test also was most notable, amounting to a median of 11 %. In conclusion, diagnosis of HP at young age is predictive of a more severe clinical course of disease, with lung fibrosis and higher disturbances in pulmonary function.

[Biological evaluation of Indian and Chinese talc aggressiveness]. / Biologiczna ocena agresywnosci talku Indyjskiego i Chinskiego.

In order to evaluate biologically the action of two different kinds of talc pulmonary and hemolytic tests were applied and pathomorphological examination carried out on animals. The study was performed on 120 rats within the 6th and 9th months periods. The talcs used in the experiment did not indicate any fibrogenic properties. Morphologic examination did not show any differences in the pathogenetic activity between the Indian and Chinese talcs Inflammatory changes within the lungs and bronchi, pulmonary emphysema and increased levels of fibrosis indices in biochemical examinations have drawn our attention to problems connected with longterm exposure to talc dust.

[Biological evaluation of experiments in rats of Australian and Italian talc aggressiveness]. / Biologiczna ocena w eksperymencie na szczurach agresywnosci talku austriackiego i wloskiego.

In order to evaluate biological effects of Austrian and Italian talc, pulmonary and hemolytic tests as well as pathomorphological examinations were performed. 120 Wistar rats divided into 5 groups were given intratracheally 50 mg of the examined talc dust suspended in 0.5 ml of 0.9 NaCl. The control group received one 0.5 ml dose of NaCl. The observation periods were 6 and 9 months. Then the biochemical tests for hydroxyproline content in the lung were carried out along with patho-morphologic tests to evaluate the fibrogenic activity of the talcs examined. In animals the intratracheal insufflation of talc dust causes inflammatory changes within the bronchi and lungs. On the basis of biochemical examination of lung homogenates, the differences in the hydroxyproline content were determined. After 6 months the symptoms of chronic inflammation and cellular modules developed. Within another 3 months the symptoms of chronic atrophic inflammation in the bronchi were observed and cellular modules containing dust particles were detected in the lung. Hemolytic test revealed a slightly higher degree of aggressiveness of the Austrian talc.