HIV-associated follicular bronchiolitis

Follicular Bronchiolitis: Two Cases with Varying Clinical and Radiological Presentation

Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) is a rare bronchiolar disorder associated with hyperplasia of the bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). It is characterized by the development of lymphoid follicles with germinal centers in the walls of small airways. It falls under the category of lymphoproliferative pulmonary diseases (LPDs) and commonly occurs in relation to connective tissue disease, immunodeficiency, infections, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and inflammatory airway diseases. Computerized tomography (CT) findings include centrilobular nodules with patchy ground glass infiltrate, tree-in-bud findings, and air trapping. It can very rarely present as diffuse cystic lung disease. We present two cases of FB. The first case is associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and asthma with diffuse cystic changes on the CT. The second case is associated with reactive airway disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with the classic centrilobular nodules and ground glass opacities on the CT.

Perplexing case of lung mass perfectly mimicking a malignancy

A 35-year-old man, a known asthmatic and with a history of smoking presented with a history of recurrent episodes of mild haemoptysis. On examination, there was decreased intensity of breath sounds on the right infraclavicular area. The chest X-ray and CT chest showed a mass in right upper lobe with nodules in the other lobe. The VAT showed large heavily vascularised mass with surface laden with multiple nodules. The wedge resection of the mass was taken and sent for histopathology examination. The biopsy result showed picture suggestive of connective tissue disease associated follicular bronchiolitis. The patient did not have any signs or symptoms of connective tissue disease. However he was positive for Rheumatoid factor, ANA, anti-RO, anti-CCP antibodies. He was started on steroids and azathioprine. After 6 months of treatment, the size of the mass and nodules reduced by 50% and ESR was reduced to 5 from 75.

Human Herpesvirus 8 in Perinatally HIV-infected Children with Interstitial Lung Disease

INTRODUCTION

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi Sarcoma and interstitial pneumonitis in adults. This study aims to evaluate association between HHV-8 and interstitial lung disease in HIV-infected children.

METHODS

HIV-infected children with interstitial pneumonitis underwent lung biopsies in a tertiary hospital and were investigated for HHV-8, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry in lung tissue. Peripheral blood PCR was also performed for HHV-8.

RESULTS

From six patients included, PCR for HHV-8 was positive in lung samples in four children and in peripheral blood in one. PCR for EBV and CMV and immunohistochemical study for HHV-8, EBV and CMV in lung were negative in all patients.

CONCLUSION

No previous cases of HHV-8-associated interstitial pneumonitis was described in HIV-infected children. An immunological disorder and an infectious agent might influence development of the lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. HHV-8 may be this infectious trigger.

The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Follicular Bronchiolitis in Chinese Adult Patients

Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) is a rare interstitial lung disease (ILD) and has been reported in diverse clinical contexts. Six FB patients demonstrated by surgical lung biopsy (SLB) were reviewed between 2009 and 2017 from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in China. The average age of subjects was 42 years old (range: 31-55 years). The clinical symptoms were very mild. The laboratory findings showed elevated Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum globulin and anemia. Pulmonary function tests were normal in four cases. Five cases had underlying diseases, such as, Sjo¨gren's syndrome, multi-centric castlemans' disease, idiopathic pneumonia with autoimmune features and abscess. Five cases presented as interstitial lung disease (ILD) on chest imaging with centrilobular or peribronchiolar nodules, ground glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, cysts and bronchiectasis. Isolated mass was in one patient. The histopathology suggested the changes of FB in all subjects. Prednisone and/or cyclophosphamide were used in four cases, one did the surgery and the other was clinically monitored. All cases were alive at the end of follow up. The adult patients of FB usually have mild symptoms, ILD and underlying diseases. The definite diagnosis needs SLB. The prognosis is depended on their underlying conditions.

Follicular bronchiolitis in an HIV-infected individual on combination antiretroviral therapy with low CD4+ cell count but sustained viral suppression

A 36-year-old Danish man, living in Asia, was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and HIV in 2013 (CD4+ count: 6 cells/µL; viral load: 518 000 copies/mL). He initiated combination antiretroviral therapy. Later that year, he was also diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and was treated with prednisolone. Despite complete viral suppression and increasing CD4+ count (162 cells/µL), he was readmitted with PCP in April 2015. Subsequently, he returned to Denmark (CD4+ count: 80 cells/µL, viral suppression). Over the following months, he developed progressive dyspnoea. Lung function tests demonstrated severely reduced lung capacity with an obstructive pattern and a moderately reduced diffusion capacity. High resolution computer tomography revealed minor areas with tree-in-bud pattern and no signs of air trapping on expiratory views. Lung biopsy showed lymphocytic infiltration surrounding the bronchioles with sparing of the alveolar septa. He was diagnosed with follicular bronchiolitis. The patient spontaneously recovered along with an improvement of the immune system.

Follicular Bronchiolitis: A Literature Review

Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) also known as hyperplasia of the bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), or bronchiolar nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, is an entity characterized by the development of lymphoid follicles with germinal centers in the walls of small airways. FB is thought to be caused by antigenic stimulation of BALT, followed by a polyclonal lymphoid hyperplasia. It is currently classified as one of the reactive pulmonary lymphoid disorders in a group known as the lymphoproliferative pulmonary diseases (LPDs). FB is a pathological diagnosis that can be seen in several clinical settings, including connective tissue diseases, immunodeficiency states, autoimmune diseases, infections, obstructive airway diseases, as well as several types of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Its characteristics need to be carefully identified and differentiated from other closely related diseases in the group of LPDs due to significant differences in treatment and prognosis.

Follicular bronchiolitis in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Ciliary dysfunction in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) may be associated with bronchiolitis. Diffuse bronchiolitis has been reported in a subset of PCD patients who have Kartagener's syndrome in Japan. We report a case of follicular bronchiolitis (FB) in a case of PCD presenting with recurrent episodes of cough, dyspnea, and bronchiectasis. This may motivate researchers to study rarer variants and presentations in PCD.