Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in the immunosuppressed host

Open lung biopsy diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates after marrow transplantation

The results were reviewed of 111 open lung biopsies (OLB) performed on 109 marrow transplantation recipients with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates between January 1983 and July 1987. We determined the frequency and types of infections identified, and the relationship to time after transplantation. Infection was found in 70 of the 111 cases (63 percent) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was present in 90 percent of all cases with infection. Infection was identified in only five of 26 (19 percent) cases within the first 30 days after transplant, and when present, was viral. The prevalence of infection after 30 days (over 75 percent of 85 cases) was significantly higher (chi 2 = 26.2, p = 0.00001). Bacterial or yeast infections were found in only four cases (4 percent) (two cases each), and Pneumocystis carinii in six cases (6 percent). Simultaneous infection with two or more organisms was found in four cases (4 percent). Four of 25 autopsies performed within ten days after OLB revealed fungal infections with Aspergillus not detected at OLB. Thus, the prevalence of infection detected by OLB is low within the first 30 days after marrow transplantation among patients receiving broad spectrum antibiotics. CMV infection is found in most transplantation recipients who undergo OLB with diffuse infiltrates between days 30 and 180.

Factors associated with fatal hemoptysis in cancer patients

We reviewed the clinical outcome of 58 patients with hemoptysis associated with either a hematologic or solid malignancy. Pulmonary hemorrhage causing death (fatal hemoptysis) occurred in 36 percent of these patients. Fatal hemoptysis occurred in six of eight patients with a hematologic malignancy and a fungal pneumonia. Examination of pathologic specimens from five of these patients revealed fungal invasion of blood vessels. An inflammatory response was absent in three, suggesting that granulocytes are not required for fungal-induced tissue destruction. In patients with a bronchogenic tumor, fatal hemoptysis occurred in six of seven patients with a necrotic squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, hemoptysis was fatal in only two of ten patients with metastatic lung disease. We conclude that hemoptysis in cancer patients with a fungal pneumonia is an ominous sign that may warrant aggressive interventions to prevent a fatal complication.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with acute leukemia

The utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in determining the causative agent of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with acute leukemia is not known. We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield of BAL in 22 adults with acute leukemia and compared the results with those at autopsy performed within three weeks of BAL. All patients had neutropenia and thrombocytopenia at the time of BAL, were receiving broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, and 15 were also receiving amphotericin B before BAL. The median interval between the detection of pulmonary infiltrates and BAL was seven days (range, 0 to 23 days); the median interval between BAL and autopsy was nine days (range, 1 to 20 days). The diagnostic yield of BAL was 15 percent (3 of 20 specific diseases); all three were Candida pneumonia. The sensitivity of BAL was 75 percent and its specificity 100 percent, for Candida pneumonia. BAL did not result in a specific diagnosis for the 17 remaining diseases, nine of which were Aspergillus pneumonia. In seven patients in whom autopsy was performed within 72 hours of BAL, lavage results correlated with those of autopsy in only one who had Candida pneumonia. All BAL cultures were falsely positive, except in four cases of Candida pneumonia. The therapeutic regimen was not modified according to the BAL results in any of the 22 patients. There were no major complications associated with the procedure.

Diagnosis of nosocomial bacterial pneumonia in intubated patients undergoing ventilation: comparison of the usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage and the protected specimen brush

PURPOSE

To compare the usefulness of specimens recovered using a protected specimen brush and those recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia occurring in intubated patients undergoing ventilation, we performed both procedures in patients suspected of having pneumonia because of the presence of a new pulmonary infiltrate and purulent tracheal secretions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients (16 men and five women) with an average age of 57 +/- 12 years were studied. They had been receiving mechanical ventilation for 8 +/- 6 days before inclusion in the trial. The clinical suspicion for nosocomial bacterial pneumonia was high in these patients. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed in each patient. Bronchoscopy specimens were obtained by a protected specimen brush and by bronchoalveolar lavage, and were then processed for quantitative bacterial and fungal culture using standard methods. Total cell counts were performed on an aliquot of resuspended original lavage fluid. Differential cell counts were made on at least 500 cells. In addition, 300 cells were examined at high-power magnification and the percentage of cells containing intracellular microorganisms and the average number of extracellular organisms per oil-immersion field were determined.

RESULTS

Quantitative culture of specimens recovered using the protected specimen brush were positive (more than 10(3) colony-forming units [cfu]/ml) in five of five patients with subsequently confirmed pneumonia, and negative (less than 10(3) cfu/ml) in 13 of 13 patients without bacterial pneumonia, but results were not available until 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Quantification of intracellular organisms in cells recovered by lavage was also useful in distinguishing patients with pneumonia (more than 25 percent of cells with intracellular organisms in five of five patients) from those without pneumonia (less than 15 percent of cells with intracellular organisms in all cases), and results were available immediately. In contrast, quantitative culture of lavage fluid and differential cell counts were of little value in identifying infected patients.

CONCLUSION

The protected specimen brush and microscopic identification of intracellular organisms in cells recovered by lavage yield useful and complementary information, and together permit rapid and specific treatment of most patients with nosocomial pneumonia.

Diagnostic efficacy of a nasotracheal protected specimen brush in patients with suspected bacterial pneumonia

The diagnostic yield and safety of a novel nasotracheal protected specimen brush (PSB) were evaluated in 15 nonintubated adult patients with suspected bacterial pneumonia. A double-catheter PSB was passed directly through the anesthetized nose and into the trachea without bronchoscopy or fluoroscopy. Endotracheal brushing was performed in less than 10 sec, and the brush was immediately processed for Gram staining and quantitative aerobic and anaerobic cultures. According to clinical follow-up and response to therapy, 11 episodes of bacterial pneumonia and five cases of nonbacterial lung disease were established. The PSB Gram stain confirmed lower respiratory sampling in all cases. The PSB cultures indicated respiratory pathogens in 9/11 (82%) cases of pneumonia, with greater than 10(3) colony-forming units (cfu)/ml in all but two specimens. All patients with pneumonia responded to specific antibiotics. All patients with nonbacterial disorders had PSB cultures of less than 10(3) CFU/ml, and their pulmonary processes improved without antibiotic therapy. The procedure was well tolerated, although two patients had transient bronchospasm or apnea. Experience with the nasotracheal PSB is limited, but the procedure appears to be a reliable and relatively safe alternative diagnostic method in selected patients with suspected bacterial pneumonia. Quantitative cultures are necessary to improve its diagnostic accuracy.

Diagnosis of pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients

In an immunocompromised patient with fever and pulmonary infiltrates, it frequently is difficult to decide which invasive procedure, if any, to use to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Because most lung infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients are caused by bacteria and sputum usually is readily available for examination, empiric therapy with potent, safe, broad spectrum, antibacterial drugs often is successful. Invasive procedures that prove a diagnosis may result in substantive changes in therapy in perhaps as few as 10 to 20 per cent of patients, and the procedure itself may harm the patient. In a unique study in which patients with acute pneumonitis without neutropenia were randomized to either empiric antibiotic treatment or treatment based on results of open lung biopsy, patients with open lung biopsy had a worse outcome, possibly related to morbidity of open lung biopsy. Furthermore, no diagnoses were provided by open lung biopsy that were not treated by the empiric regimen. A missed treatable disease may be tragic, however. A thoughtful clinician must evaluate each patient with careful consideration of the history in light of the underlying disease and its treatment, rapidity of clinical course, physical examination, and laboratory data, particularly the chest radiograph, sputum examination, and bleeding parameters. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with washings and brushings is very safe; the addition of transbronchial biopsy adds diagnostic power at the price of some complications. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a very promising technique that probably will find widespread use. However, none of the foregoing techniques is completely sensitive. When no diagnosis is established and bronchoscopy studies are negative, open lung biopsy must be considered, especially when the chest radiograph or computed tomography scan suggests focal disease or lymphadenopathy. Needle aspiration can be used, particularly if local experience is favorable and lung disease is peripheral. When evaluating a procedure, local experience must be considered rather than reliance on published diagnostic yields and complication rates. New diagnostic and therapeutic developments may change decision analysis in the near future. At present, cultures for viruses and fungi and serologic techniques have little application at most medical centers, and decisions on data from invasive procedures pivot on interpretation of histology and smears. Development of assays for antigen (for example, Aspergillus) and rapid culture techniques (for example, cytomegalovirus and the shell vial method), coupled with new, effective antimicrobials, may demand maximum effort for a definitive diagnosis in every patient.

Diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis by bronchoalveolar lavage

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on a patient with disseminated strongyloidiasis and 4.5 X 10(7) cells/65 ml of lavage fluid were recovered. Eighty-five percent of cells were polymorphonuclear leukocytes; 15 percent were pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Rhabditiform larvae (1 X 10(4)) were recovered in 65 ml of lavage fluid. This is the first report of bronchoalveolar lavage used in diagnosing disseminated strongyloidiasis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in miliary tuberculosis

We report bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular analysis in eight patients with miliary tuberculosis. The total cell count and lymphocytes count of BAL fluid were significantly increased and the alveolar macrophage count was significantly decreased in patient with miliary tuberculosis compared to normal subjects. Epithelioid cell granulomas were seen in BAL fluid in two patients.

Evaluation of centrifugation cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus pneumonitis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis is one of the most severe manifestations of CMV disease among immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis traditionally has required the use of invasive procedures such as lung biopsy. In this retrospective study, we evaluated a centrifugation culture method in samples of bronchoalveolar fluid for the noninvasive diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis. During a 9-mo period, 75 bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected from 58 patients with pneumonitis. We analyzed the data from 21 patients in whom lung tissue samples were obtained within 14 days of the bronchoalveolar lavage. Centrifugation cultures of bronchoalveolar fluid were positive for CMV in 12 cases. CMV pneumonitis was confirmed in samples of lung tissue from five (42%) of the 12 patients, whereas no evidence of CMV pneumonitis was found in the remaining seven (58%) cases. Of nine patients with negative centrifugation cultures, CMV pneumonitis was confirmed in two (22%). When compared with conventional cultures, we found bronchoalveolar lavage fluid centrifugation cultures to be highly sensitive (100%) and specific (92%) for the detection of CMV infection. However, detection of CMV by centrifugation culture proved to be only moderately sensitive (71%) and nonspecific (50%) for the diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the normal volunteer subject. I. Technical aspects and intersubject variability

To investigate subject-to-subject variability in commonly used parameters from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), we analyzed the results of BAL from 78 consecutive normal volunteer subjects. The BAL was performed using three, 40 ml aliquots of normal saline solution, in a lingular subsegment. The same diameter bronchoscope (4.8 mm) was used and BAL was performed and analyzed identically in all subjects. While the percentage of lavageate returned was relatively consistent from subject to subject (63.4 +/- 10.8 percent, mean +/- SD), there was marked variability in the number of cells obtained (7.3 +/- 3.9 X 10(6)). While low returns were generally associated with a diminished cell recovery, in the range of normal percentage returned, there was no correlation with the number recovered. There was no correlation of cell number or percent lavageate returned with gender, height, or any lung volume (as determined on pulmonary function tests). There was relatively little variability in differential analysis of recovered cells. The BAL was well tolerated by all subjects; the chest roentgenogram was found to be of little utility in screening normal subjects, but pulmonary function testing detected obstructive lung disease in three potential subjects leading to their disqualification as "normal." Our experience confirms the safety of bronchoalveolar lavage in normal volunteer subjects. We report the BAL results that can be expected for research or clinical comparison using a protocol described in detail. The variability of cell numbers from BAL, even under these controlled conditions, precludes the routine use of this measurement from BAL performed for clinical purposes.

Management of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS and other conditions: experience in a Philadelphia University Teaching Hospital

We reviewed the records of 49 patients who had 55 episodes of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) from January 1984 to January 1987. Thirty-three patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with the risk groups being homosexual/bisexual practices (26), hemophilia (6), and blood transfusion (1). Fourteen patients had a history of malignancy or chemotherapy and two underwent organ transplantation. Overall response to therapy of PCP was 75% (77% of patients with AIDS, 68% of those with other conditions). All six relapses occurred in patients with AIDS. Both trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and pentamidine were associated with a higher rate of toxicity in those patients than in patients with other conditions. A 30% rate of failure due to side effects occurred when TMP-SMX was used as initial therapy, but the combination is considered effective and should be given an adequate therapeutic trial. Pentamidine was an effective alternative for patients who failed with TMP-SMX and for those who failed therapy due to side effects, but was associated with serious toxicities. Our experience was similar in some respects to previous published results from New York and California.

Outcome of respiratory failure in hematologic malignancy

We reviewed records of patients with hematologic malignancy requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) from 1976 to 1985 (excluding postoperative MV less than 48 hours). There were 119 episodes in 116 patients. In-hospital mortality was 82 percent. Of 21 (18 percent) episodes survived, median duration of survival was 12 months. Survivors did not differ from nonsurvivors in age, leukocyte count, or duration of MV. Survival for chronic lymphocytic leukemia was 42 percent, for other leukemias 16 percent, Hodgkin's disease 29 percent, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 6 percent. Bronchoscopy was performed in 28 patients, resulting in a diagnosis of infection, hemorrhage, or malignancy in 19 cases. Open lung biopsy (OLB) was obtained in 23 patients, yielding a diagnosis of interstitial inflammation or fibrosis (13 cases), drug effect (three), malignancy (two), hemorrhage (one), Pneumocystis (seven), aspergillosis (two), and Legionella (one). Only two patients survived following OLB. Despite intensive management and adequate diagnosis, respiratory failure in patients with hematologic malignancy carries a high mortality. Although these data may help identify groups with a limited prognosis for long-term recovery, patient care must be individualized.

Comparative sensitivity of three methods for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus lung infection

Conventional cell culture (CCC), an immunofluorescent assay for the rapid detection of CMV-induced early antigens (DEAFF) in infected fibroblasts and an immunofluorescent assay for the detection of CMV-infected cells obtained directly from clinical material were compared prospectively for their ability to detect CMV in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) material. CMV was detected by at least one method in 47 of 139 BALs (33.8%). The mean sensitivities of each of the three assays were 93% for DEAFF, 46% for CCC and 22% for the direct method. The mean time to diagnosis was 24 h, 15 days and 4 h for each of the methods, respectively. The use of monoclonal antibodies in the DEAFF test on BAL specimens provided a simple and rapid method for the diagnosis of CMV lung infection and was shown to be more reliable than conventional culture methods in achieving a diagnosis from BAL specimens.

Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from immunocompromised patients with a protocol applicable in the microbiology laboratory

Several studies have concluded that bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a useful technique for diagnosing pulmonary disease in immunocompromised patients, but implementation of a protocol for obtaining, processing, and analyzing BAL specimens in a clinical microbiology laboratory has not been reported. We determined the utility of a laboratory protocol by analyzing 100 BAL specimens from 94 immunocompromised patients. Each BAL specimen was cultured quantitatively for bacteria. A concentrate of each specimen was cultured for fungi, viruses, mycobacteria, and Legionella sp. Slides of the BAL concentrate were prepared by cytocentrifugation and stained by a number of histochemical and fluorescence techniques. Overall diagnostic yields of 81% for infections, 90% for hemorrhage, and 13% for neoplasms were obtained with the patients studied. BAL analysis was incapable of diagnosing drug- or radiation-induced pneumonitis or idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis. After evaluation of the protocol was completed, it was successfully implemented in two university-based clinical microbiology laboratories as a routine diagnostic service.

Utility of airway endoscopy in the diagnosis of respiratory complications of cardiac transplantation

We evaluated 39 episodes (in 32 patients) of pulmonary parenchymal infiltrates following cardiac transplantation with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in a prospective study of 94 consecutive recipients. Initial FOB established the diagnosis in 24/39 (62 percent) instances. Subsequent examinations included repeat FOB (five), open lung biopsy (five), needle aspiration (two), and autopsy (nine), establishing 49 diagnoses. Specific pathogens were identified in 45 instances, neoplasm in two, and idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis in two. Bronchoalveolar lavage alone yielded diagnoses in 63 percent and transbronchial biopsy and bronchial washings/brushings in 46 and 43 percent, respectively. Transbronchial biopsy suggested idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis in 17 instances, but four had spontaneous clearing, and open lung biopsy or autopsy showed alternative diagnoses (particularly CMV and Aspergillus) in 11. The main complication of FOB was moderate (25 to 100 ml) hemorrhage after transbronchial biopsy (10 percent); no severe episodes occurred despite elevated pulmonary vascular pressures. In this population of immunocompromised hosts: (1) bronchoalveolar lavage is the most sensitive bronchoscopic technique for detecting infection; (2) transbronchial biopsy is not useful in detecting CMV or Aspergillus infection; (3) pulmonary hypertension is associated with some risk of moderate but not severe hemorrhage after transbronchial biopsy.

Foamy alveolar casts: diagnostic specificity for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a major infectious complication of immunodeficiency states, including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a safe and effective procedure for making this diagnosis. In addition to the characteristic organisms, both histologic and cytologic material often reveals exudate in the form of foamy alveolar casts (FACs). To test the diagnostic utility of FACs in BAL fluids, we compared 20 PCP-positive and 28 PCP-negative fluids as assessed by silver stains. All PCP-positive fluids contained FACs on Papanicolaou-stained material. Only one PCP-negative lavage contained FACs, and transbronchial biopsy in this case revealed PCP. We suggest that FACs in BAL fluids are highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of PCP.

Lidocaine concentrations in bronchoscopic specimens

We measured lidocaine concentrations in bronchoscopic specimens and found that bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) concentrations (16 +/- 7 micrograms/ml) were lower than those in bronchial washings (967 +/- 379 micrograms/ml [p less than 0.001]). Lidocaine concentrations in bronchial washings obtained "early" (991 +/- 505 micrograms/ml) compared with "late" (943 +/- 580 micrograms/ml) in the procedure did not differ (p = NS). High lidocaine concentrations sufficient to inhibit growth in culture of mycobacterial and fungal pathogens (greater than 5,000 micrograms/ml) occurred in one early and two late bronchial washings but no BAL specimens. No correlation between lidocaine dose and measured concentrations was noted in any specimen category; however, highest bronchial washing concentrations occurred with the use of greater than 250 mg of lidocaine. We conclude that BAL specimens are suitable for culturing pathogens that may be inhibited by lidocaine. Furthermore, collecting bronchial washings late in the procedure or limiting the lidocaine dosage do not reliably decrease measured lidocaine concentrations.

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

Of 222 patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis (PT), studied during a one-year period, we performed fiberoptic bronchoscopy together with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washing and postbronchoscopy sputum smears and Löwenstein cultures in 20 patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage proved to be the most effective method leading to diagnosis in 17 of 20 cases. Diagnosis was obtained in 11 of 20 cases using bronchial washing and postbronchoscopy sputum. The results of this study suggest that bronchoscopy may be required in selected cases for the diagnosis of PT. However, it should be accompanied by BAL, bronchial washings and postbronchoscopy sputum smears. Indications for bronchoscopy as a diagnostic tool for PT may include: (a) patients suspected of having PT with negative smears and in whom treatment must be started due to clinical status; (b) suspicion of associated neoplasia; (c) selected patients with negative Löwenstein cultures; (d) lack of material being obtained by simpler methods.

AIDS and the surgeon

Several issues related to the AIDS virus concern the surgeon. This article discusses the common presentations of AIDS in each body system with special emphasis on conditions that require surgical intervention, alternatives to surgical procedures for diagnosis, and precautions for the handling of tissue and body secretions of individuals suspected of harboring the AIDS virus.

Bronchoalveolar lavage is better than gastric lavage in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 62/63 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis and gastric lavage in 60 of the 63. Mycobacteria could be cultured from 14 of the patients. Cultures on bronchoalveolar lavage were positive in 13 of them, while gastric lavage was positive in only 7. Our conclusion is that bronchoalveolar lavage should be performed instead of gastric lavage when pulmonary tuberculosis is suspected.

Rothia dentocariosa pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient

An 84-year-old woman with acute myelocytic leukemia presented with fever and a left upper lobe infiltrate on chest x-ray. She failed to respond to initial broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and a transthoracic needle aspirate subsequently both grew Rothia dentocariosa, a gram-positive branching rod. The pneumonia resolved after prolonged treatment with Clindamycin. Rothia dentocariosa must be considered a cause of opportunistic pulmonary infection.

Diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage in children with AIDS

Between October, 1985 and May 1987, 29 children (mean age 22 +/- 22 months, range 2-54 months) with AIDS or ARC developed acute respiratory illness. The initial diagnostic procedure was flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL was positive for Pneumocystis carinii in 14 and for respiratory syncytial virus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli in 3 additional patients. Subsequent lung tissue analysis and/or clinical course suggested no false negative lavages. Complications possibly related to the procedure occurred in two patients. We find BAL an effective diagnostic technique in these patients, offering a less invasive alternative to open lung biopsy.

Role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the evaluation of interstitial pneumonitis in recipients of bone marrow transplants

Forty episodes of pneumonitis in 30 recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants were investigated by fibreoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. A positive diagnosis was made in 32 episodes of pneumonitis (24 patients), giving a diagnostic yield of 80%. In 31 of these the diagnosis was made within 24 hours of bronchoscopy and this enabled the appropriate treatment to be instituted early. Eighteen patients recovered from their primary infection, although two died subsequently of respiratory failure due to postpneumonic lung destruction. Ten patients later developed a second episode of pneumonitis and a diagnosis was made in nine of these. Only three survived a second episode. Bronchoalveolar lavage was well tolerated by all patients and there was no morbidity or mortality that could be directly attributed to the procedure. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe and valuable early diagnostic procedure for the investigation of pulmonary complications in patients who have received bone marrow transplants.

Value of bronchoalveolar lavage in the management of severe acute pneumonia and interstitial pneumonitis in the immunocompromised child

The diagnostic value of 73 bronchoalveolar lavages was assessed in 67 immunocompromised children (aged 3 months to 16 years) with pulmonary infiltrates. Thirty one children had primary and 19 secondary immune deficiency, 14 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and three AIDS related complex. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed during fibreoptic bronchoscopy, under local anaesthesia in all but two. One or more infective agents was found in eight of 11 patients with severe acute pneumonia and in 26 of 62 patients with interstitial pneumonitis. In interstitial pneumonitis, the most frequently encountered agents were Pneumocystis carinii (12), cytomegalovirus (8), and Aspergillus fumigatus (3). The yield was related to the severity of interstitial pneumonitis. The mean cellular count and cytological profile in lavage returns from patients with varying infective agents or underlying pathological conditions showed no significant difference, except in those children with AIDS and AIDS related complex who had appreciable lymphocytosis (mean percentage of lymphocytes 28 (SD 17]. In children with AIDS and chronic interstitial pneumonitis lymphocytosis without pneumocystis infection was observed in eight of nine bronchoalveolar lavage returns and was suggestive of pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia. Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage produced a specific diagnosis from the microbiological or cytological findings in 44 instances (60%). Transient exacerbation of tachypnoea was observed in the most severely ill children but there was no case of respiratory decompensation attributable to the bronchoscopy. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe and rapid examination for the investigation of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised children. It should be performed as a first line investigation and should reduce the use of open lung biopsy techniques.

The role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of suspected opportunistic pneumonia

We report 50 immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates who underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy, including bronchoalveolar lavage, on 56 occasions. The underlying diseases were mostly lymphoma, leukemia, other malignancies and renal failure. The commonest immunodeficiency factors were chemotherapy, steroids and neutropenia. A positive diagnosis could be made from analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage on 59% (33/56) occasions. This was a comparable yield to transbronchial lung biopsy 57% (16/27), and superior to proximal airways wash 24% (13/55), or bronchial brushings 29% (10/34). Open lung biopsy added additional diagnostic information in three of the four cases in which it was performed. The most common final diagnoses were bacterial, viral or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and recurrent malignancy. We conclude that bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield in the immunocompromised host with suspected opportunistic pneumonia.

Role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the assessment of opportunistic pulmonary infections: utility and complications

We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the assessment of opportunistic pulmonary infections and the incidence of associated complications in 100 immunocompromised patients during a 9-month period. Bronchoalveolar lavage was useful in detecting the presence of Pneumocystis carinii, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and mycobacteria in the lower respiratory tract. P. carinii was diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage in 17 patients and by open-lung biopsy in 1. Other organisms detected by lavage, lung biopsy, or both included viruses (eight patients), fungi (four patients), bacteria (six patients), and mycobacteria (three patients). Of the 100 patients studied, 33 had infectious agents detected in the lung; in 6 of these patients, more than one organism was present. Bronchoalveolar lavage detected the infectious organisms in 30 of the patients, in many of whom an open-lung biopsy was likely avoided because of the lavage studies. Although no major complications of bronchoalveolar lavage were noted in this critically ill population, five patients did require short-term mechanical ventilation after bronchoscopy. When correctly used, bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe and useful procedure for the assessment of immunocompromised subjects with suspected opportunistic pulmonary infections.

Nocardia pneumonitis and the adult respiratory distress syndrome

This report describes the progression of an acute regional Nocardia pneumonitis to diffuse pulmonary parenchymal disease in a previously healthy man. The pathophysiologic manifestations of disease evolved from that of a severe bacterial pneumonia to the adult respiratory distress syndrome. This progression may be representative of pyogenic bacterial pneumonias, which are associated with the syndrome even when the infections are adequately treated.

Diagnosis of parenchymal Hodgkin's disease using bronchoalveolar lavage

The usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of parenchymal Hodgkin's disease is illustrated in this case report. Recovery of characteristic Reed-Sternberg cells from the lavage fluid may serve as both a diagnostic and staging procedure and potentially may obviate more invasive steps such as thoracotomy.