咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）与小气道功能相关性分析

目的:探讨咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)患者小气道功能检查对其诊断,治疗的意义。方法:对254例以慢性咳嗽为主的患者行肺功能检查并行支气管激发试验,回顾性分析小气道病变及气道高反应性检查结果与咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)的相关性。结果:有小气道功能障碍者接受吸入乙酰甲胆碱激发试验,气道反应性明显增高。有小气道功能障碍确诊咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)组起始阻力、反应阈值及阻力上升度与非哮喘组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:检查小气道功能障碍有助于哮喘的诊断,治疗及预后随访。     

咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）与小气道功能相关性分析

目的：探讨咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）患者小气道功能检查对其诊断,治疗的意义。方法：对254例以慢性咳嗽为主的患者行肺功能检查并行支气管激发试验,回顾性分析小气道病变及气道高反应性检查结果与咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）的相关性。结果：有小气道功能障碍者接受吸入乙酰甲胆碱激发试验,气道反应性明显增高。有小气道功能障碍确诊咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）组起始阻力、反应阈值及阻力上升度与非哮喘组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论：检查小气道功能障碍有助于哮喘的诊断,治疗及预后随访。     

Detection of circulating antigens and antibodies in Toxocara canis infection among children in Chengdu, China

In order to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection in children from Chengdu, we performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and sandwich ELISA (S-ELISA) with excretory-secretory antigens isolated from second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis (TES-Ag ELISA). The seroprevalences of T. canis antibodies in the children from rural areas, urban districts, and urban districts with recent Ascaris lumbricoides infection were 17.7% (59/333), 2.1% (4/186), and 2.6% (1/38), respectively. Among 63 suspected patients with symptoms of T. canis infection, 31 had positive antibodies. The inhibition assay showed an apparent inhibiting capacity of TES-Ag for the antibody against T. canis larvae. The result of S-ELISA demonstrated that circulating antigens of T. canis larvae could be detected in part of the serum with positive antibodies and that the detection rate for circulating antigens in the sera could be improved by polyethylene glycol-acid treatment. This is the first epidemiological study to confirm the existence of T. canis infection and Toxocara-larvae migrans in Chengdu by the combination of TES-Ag ELISA and S-ELISA.     

Seroprevalence of toxocariasis among healthy people with eosinophilia

The aim of this study is to determine the Toxocara seropositive rate among healthy people with eosinophilia. A total of 97 people residing in Seoul who were healthy and whose blood eosinophilia was over 10%, as shown by regular health check-ups in 2004, were subjected to this study. Their sera were tested by immunoblotting and ELISA with the antigen of larval Toxocara canis excretory-secretory (ES) protein. Sixty-five sera were band-positive (67.0%). The seropositve control sera were positive to band sizes of 66 kDa, 56 kDa, 32 kDa, and 13 kDa. In ELISA, 63 sera (65.0%) were positive to T. canis ES protein. There was no significant correlation between the IgG ELISA titer and the level of eosinophilia (r = 0.156, P = 0.156). As there were insufficient data to determine whether there were cross-reactions with other helminthic infections, or whether atopy occurred, further studies are required to verify the cause of the seropositive reactions against T. canis ES antigen. Toxocariasis seropositivity is suggested to be the major cause of eosinophilia, since the Toxocara seroprevalence among Korean rural adults was shown to be approximately 5%.     

Prevalence of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Chuncheon, Korea (2004)

The intestines and hearts of dogs were examined for Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, and Dirofilaria immitis, after necropsy between June 26 and September 29, 2004 in Chuncheon, Korea. Of the 662 dogs examined, 6 were infected with T. canis (0.9%), 86 with T. leonina (13.0%). Fifty dogs were infected with D. immitis among 500 dogs examined (10.0%). Five were co-infected with T. canis and T. leonina, and three were co-infected with T. leonina and D. immitis. The cumulative positive infection rate for three species was 134/662 (20.2%). Considering previously reported seropositive rates of T. canis excretory-secretory antigen, i.e., 5% in the adult population in Korea, the possibility of toxocariasis caused by T. leonina should be reevaluated.     

PGE(2) decreases muscle cell proliferation in patients with non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis

Non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB) is characterized by chronic cough and sputum eosinophilia without bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The aim of the present study is to determine whether increased levels of PGE(2) from NAEB sputum supernatants play a protective role in airway inflammation and muscular hyperplasia. Twenty-one patients with NAEB, 15 asthmatic patients, and 12 healthy subjects were studied. An up-regulated PGE(2) enzymatic pathway was observed in bronchial biopsies from patients with NAEB as compared with samples from asthmatic patients. Also, EP2 and EP4 receptor expression was increased in these samples. BSMC proliferation was inhibited to a greater extent in NAEB sputum supernatants than in those taken from asthmatic subjects and healthy controls. This inhibition was mostly due to PGE(2) levels, a fact which was confirmed by employing synthetic EP2 and EP4 agonist and antagonist receptors.These findings suggest that PGE(2) inhibits BSMC proliferation entailing a reduction of smooth muscle hyperplasia and thus protecting against the onset of airflow obstruction.     

阳江地区慢性咳嗽的病因学调查研究

目的探讨阳江地区慢性咳嗽的病因特点。方法对2010年3月～2012年3月在阳江市中医医院门诊就诊的200例慢性咳嗽患者的临床资料进行研究。结果确定病因诊断者187例,单一病因咳嗽者178例,其中前五位依次为上气道咳嗽综合征（占34.0%）,变异型哮喘（占18.0%）,胃食管反流（占13.5%）,变应性咳嗽（占12.5%）,嗜酸细胞性支气管炎（占11.0%）;二重病因9例中,为上气道咳嗽综合征并胃食管反流（占2.5%）,上气道咳嗽综合征合并变异型哮喘（占2.0%）。结论慢性咳嗽的病因复杂,涉及多个临床学科,应进一步诊断及鉴别诊断。     

Characterization of a Toxocara canis species-specific excretory-secretory antigen (TcES-57) and development of a double sandwich ELISA for diagnosis of visceral larva migrans

This study describes the isolation of a Toxocara canis species-specific excretory-secretory (ES) antigen and the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on this antigen. Analysis of the ES antigens of T. canis, Toxocara vitulorum, Ascaris lumbricoides and Necator americanus larval antigen was performed by SDS-PAGE followed by western blotting. A 57 kDa T. canis-specific antibody fraction (TcES-57) was identified by western blotting and labelling with anti-Toxocara antibodies (from experimental rabbits and human patients) and tracing with anti-human or anti-rabbit peroxidase conjugate. No protein fraction of 57 kDa was detected in ES or larval antigens collected from T. canis, T. vitulorum, A. lumbricoides and N. americanus. Using TcES-57, a specific antiserum was produced in rabbits and a double sandwich ELISA was developed. This test was validated using known seropositive sera from toxocariasis patients, sera from A. lumbricoides or N. americanus patients, and 50 serum samples from cats. These tests revealed that TcES-57 antigen is specific to T. canis infection and does not cross react with sera of other related infections. Thus, ELISA based on TcES-57 antigen was proven to be an effective tool in the diagnosis of toxocariasis and studies on the role of T. canis in the epidemiology of human toxocariasis.     

肺炎支原体抗体阳性对咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿肺功能的影响研究

目的:通过探讨肺炎支原体(MP)抗体阳性感染对咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)患儿肺功能的影响,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:选择2012年6月~2014年6月本院收治的CVA患儿共60例,依据支原体抗体检查和肺功能检测结果,分为CVA合并MP组(合并组)和CVA组,检测两组患儿初诊时肺通气功能、支气管激发试验阳性率,分析初诊时、治疗1、3个月后MP抗体对肺功能第一秒用力呼吸容积/用力肺活量(FEV1%)的影响。结果:初诊时两组患儿肺活量(FVC)、最大呼气峰流速(PEF)、FEV1%、最大中段呼气流速(MMEF75/25)实测值均低于预测值(P0.05),合并组MMEF75/25预测值/实测值的比值较CVA组高(P0.05)。支气管激发试验阳性患儿中,合并组以轻度和极轻度为主,CVA组以重度和中度为主(P0.05)。MP抗体滴度持续阳性和阴性患儿FEV1%无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:合并MP抗体阳性CVA患儿气道高反应性程度较低,小气道阻塞加重,对肺通气功能无影响。     

Serologic evidence of toxocariasis in northeast Brazil

Sera from 54 Brazilian children with a history of tropical eosinophilia syndrome were screened for toxocariasis. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected 21 positive sera (40%). Many of these cases (15 of 21) were positive for Dilofilaria immitis as well. Of the six Toxocara-positive children with hypereosinophilia, two were asthmatic. Their sera were further examined by the Toxocara species-specific Ouchterlony's diffusion-in-gel test and one Toxocara canis and one T. cati infections were identified. This is the first report of serologically diagnosed toxocariasis in Brazil.     

Transmission of Toxocara canis via ingestion of raw cow liver: a cross-sectional study in healthy adults

The aim of this study is to ascertain the relationship between ingestion of raw cow liver and Toxocara canis infection. A total of 150 apparently healthy adults were divided into 2 groups; 1 group consisted of 86 adults with positive results of Toxocara ELISA, and the other group of 64 adults with negative results. One researcher collected the history of ingestion of raw cow liver within 1 year and recent history of keeping dogs. Among 86 seropositive adults for T. canis, 68 (79.1%) had a recent history of ingestion of raw cow liver. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that a recent ingestion of raw cow liver and keeping dogs were related to an increased risk of toxocariasis (odds ratios, 4.4 and 3.7; and 95% confidence intervals, 1.9-10.2 and 1.2-11.6, respectively). A recent history of ingestion of raw cow liver and keeping dogs was significantly associated with toxocariasis.     

Intestinal nematode infections in Turkish military dogs with special reference to Toxocara canis

The prevalence and potential zoonotic risk factors of intestinal nematodes of military working dogs, which are used for different military purposes, were assessed. Faecal samples from 352 defined-breed Turkish military dogs were investigated and 107 (30.4%) dogs were found to be infected with one or two nematode species. The following nematodes, with their respective prevalences, were diagnosed in the faecal samples: Toxascaris leonina (21.8%), Toxocara canis (13.3%), Trichuris vulpis (2.9%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (1.2%). Toxocara canis infections were more frequently seen in puppies (0-6 months old). The prevalence of T. canis was significantly higher in male than in female dogs and also higher in dogs which were exercised daily than in those without exercise. The highest prevalence was found in Belgian malinois breed dogs. Toxocara canis infections were not influenced by the floor type of the kennels (i.e. concrete or soil floor). There was no difference in the occurrence of T. canis infection when the last anthelmintic treatment was carried out less or more than 3 months prior to sampling. It is suggested that T. canis infected military dogs would be a threat not only for dog trainers but also for military personnel, notably during national and international operations.     

Prevalence and intensity of Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) in dogs and its potential public health significance in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

A study on the prevalence and intensity of Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) in dogs was carried out in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 269 dogs between January and December 2004, processed by the Kato-Katz technique and then examined for T. canis eggs. The prevalence of T. canis obtained was 33.8%. The intensity of infection, measured as mean egg count per gram of faeces ( +/- SEM) was 393.8 +/- 83.4. The prevalence and intensity of T. canis in dogs aged 0-6 months were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than older age groups. The prevalence and intensity of T. canis infection were significantly higher in males than in female dogs (P < 0.05). Since T. canis is known to cause visceral larva migrans (VLM) in young children, there is the possibility that the high prevalence of T. canis infection obtained in this study might constitute an important risk factor for transmission to humans. Therefore, there is the need to educate the residents of Ile-Ife on the danger of close association of their children with household pets.     

支气管激发试验对咳嗽变异性哮喘诊断和治疗的新思考

目的：通过分析我院经行支气管激发试验明确诊断的咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）的临床和肺功能特点,为诊断和治疗CVA提供一些有益的参考。方法：临床资料采用回顾性分析,共收集142例支气管激发试验阳性而经临床诊断明确为咳嗽变异型哮喘的病例,将其按年龄分为5组,分别对不同年龄组在分布例数、症状特点、肺通气功能、激发剂量进行对比分析。结果：在142例CVA患者中,〈30岁组病例42例（29.6%）,30~40岁组30例（21.1%）,40~50岁组28例（19.7%）,50~60岁组26例（18.3%）,〉60岁组16例（11.3%）。在症状方面,除均有慢性咳嗽（〉3周）外,随着年龄的增大,各组中出现胸闷、气促等症状的病例比例逐渐增多。在肺通气功能方面,〈30岁组的肺通气功能测定明显好于〉60岁组。而另外3组之间组与组之间无明显差异,但各组与〈30岁组及〉60岁组之间均有明显差异。结论：咳嗽变异型哮喘患者以中青年患者居多,老年患者较少,随着年龄的增长,其临床表现及肺通气功能越来越接近典型支气管哮喘,由此推想,若有条件的医院能广泛开展支气管激发试验,对咳嗽变异型哮喘患者进行早期诊断。     

普米克都保联合沙丁胺醇对咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿的疗效分析

目的:探讨普米克都保联合沙丁胺醇对咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)患儿的疗效分析。方法:选取100例CVA患者,沙丁胺醇组(48例)给予沙丁胺醇联合用药组(52例)给予沙丁胺醇和普米克都保,观察并记录两组患者治疗后的疗效,咳嗽缓解及消失时间,治疗前后的用力肺活量(FVC),第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、呼气峰流速(PEF)及最大呼气中段流速(MMEF)等肺功能指标及随访1个月期间的不良反应,评价普米克都保联合沙丁胺醇对咳嗽变异性哮喘的疗效。结果:治疗后联合用药组有效率明显高于沙丁胺醇组(P0.05),联合用药组中有92.3%患者,沙丁胺醇组有72.9%患者咳嗽症状在2周内消失,治疗后联合用药组咳嗽缓解时间和消失时间明显短于沙丁胺醇组(P0.05)。治疗前后,两组在FVC,FEVl,PEF上相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗前,两组MMEF水平均明显低于体检健康者(P0.05),其他肺功能指标与体检健康者相比,无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗后联合用药组MMEF明显高于治疗前,且高于沙丁胺醇组(P0.05)。沙丁胺醇组治疗前后MMEF未出现明显变化(P0.05)。随访1个月期间,两组不良反应率相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:普米克都保联合沙丁胺醇能对CVA具有较好的治疗作用,能缩短咳嗽症状消失时间,改善患儿肺功能,值得临床推广使用。     

Compartmental and Temporal Dynamics of Chronic Inflammation and Airway Remodelling in a Chronic Asthma Mouse Model

Background

Allergic asthma is associated with chronic airway inflammation and progressive airway remodelling. However, the dynamics of the development of these features and their spontaneous and pharmacological reversibility are still poorly understood. We have therefore investigated the dynamics of airway remodelling and repair in an experimental asthma model and studied how pharmacological intervention affects these processes.

Methods

Using BALB/c mice, the kinetics of chronic asthma progression and resolution were characterised in absence and presence of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment. Airway inflammation and remodelling was assessed by the analysis of bronchoalveolar and peribronichal inflammatory cell infiltrate, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition and smooth muscle thickening.

Results

Chronic allergen exposure resulted in early (goblet cell hyperplasia) and late remodelling (collagen deposition and smooth muscle thickening). After four weeks of allergen cessation eosinophilic inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition were resolved, full resolution of lymphocyte inflammation and smooth muscle thickening was only observed after eight weeks. ICS therapy when started before the full establishment of chronic asthma reduced the development of lung inflammation, decreased goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition, but did not affect smooth muscle thickening. These effects of ICS on airway remodelling were maintained for a further four weeks even when therapy was discontinued.

Conclusions

Utilising a chronic model of experimental asthma we have shown that repeated allergen exposure induces reversible airway remodelling and inflammation in mice. Therapeutic intervention with ICS was partially effective in inhibiting the transition from acute to chronic asthma by reducing airway inflammation and remodelling but was ineffective in preventing smooth muscle hypertrophy.     

肺炎支原体抗体阳性对咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿肺功能的影响

目的探索肺炎支原体（Mycoplasma pneumoniae,MP）抗体阳性对咳嗽变异性哮喘（cough variant asthmaCVA）患儿肺功能的影响。方法收集72例初次诊断CVA的患儿,根据血清MP抗体结果分为CVA合并MP抗体阳性（以下记CVA合并MP）组,CVA组。分别对两组进行支原体抗体及肺功能检测。结果纳入本研究的CVA患儿,MP抗体阳性占29％,且这部分患儿中女孩比男孩多。CVA患儿肺功能FVC、FEV1／FVC、PEF、MMEF75／25各项指标均下降（P〈0．05）,合并MP组FVC、FEV1／FVC、PEF值变化差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,而MMEF75／25下降差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;CVA合并MP组支气管激发试验以极轻度、轻度为主（P〈0．05）,而CVA组以中重度为主（P〈0．05）;CVA合并MP组,在治疗一个月时FEV1％升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗相同时间两组间FEV1％差异无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论呼吸道的多种微生物间形成复杂而又互相联系的群落,MP使气道黏膜受到损害,影响呼吸系统局部微生态,这与哮喘的形成有某种联系。MP抗体阳性的CVA患儿气道高反应性较低,相比之下,小气道阻塞加重,且其对CVA治疗过程中肺通气功能的变化没有影响。     

Human toxocarosis. Its seroprevalence in the city of La Plata

Toxocara canis is very common in dogs throughout the world. It is the primary cause of visceral larva migrans (VLM) in humans. Soil contaminated with T. canis embryonated eggs is the main source of infection of man. Our objective was to describe Toxocara seroprevalence in humans in the city of La Plata associated with some determinants such asage, presence or absence of clinical manifestations and risk factors. Blood samples were collected at random from 156 patients of different sex and age, with and without clinical symptoms compatible with the disease. The diagnostic technique ELISA test was performed with the Bordier Affinity Products Commercial Kit, using excretory-secretory Toxocara antigen with a sensitivity higher than 90%. The values were positive in 39% of the studied population. In the analysis according to age, the younger group presented significant differences with respect to the older one (Chi-square p<0.05). Positive patients presented clinical symptoms compatible with the disease (84%), and 41% presented some risk factor. The level of positivity obtained indicates a certain risk of being infects mainly in patients younger than 15 years old. The authors agree that an early identification and treatment of VLM may save a life.     

Exhaled nitric oxide and clinical phenotypes of childhood asthma

Whether exhaled NO helps to identify a specific phenotype of asthmatic patients remains debated. Our aims were to evaluate whether exhaled NO (FENO_0.05) is independently associated (1) with underlying pathophysiological characteristics of asthma such as airway tone (bronchodilator response) and airway inflammation (inhaled corticosteroid [ICS]-dependant inflammation), and (2) with clinical phenotypes of asthma.We performed multivariate (exhaled NO as dependent variable) and k-means cluster analyses in a population of 169 asthmatic children (age ± SD: 10.5 ± 2.6 years) recruited in a monocenter cohort that was characterized in a cross-sectional design using 28 parameters describing potentially different asthma domains: atopy, environment (tobacco), control, exacerbations, treatment (inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator agonist), and lung function (airway architecture and tone).Two subject-related characteristics (height and atopy) and two disease-related characteristics (bronchodilator response and ICS dose > 200 μg/d) explained 36% of exhaled NO variance. Nine domains were isolated using principal component analysis. Four clusters were further identified: cluster 1 (47%): boys, unexposed to tobacco, with well-controlled asthma; cluster 2 (26%): girls, unexposed to tobacco, with well-controlled asthma; cluster 3 (6%): girls or boys, unexposed to tobacco, with uncontrolled asthma associated with increased airway tone, and cluster 4 (21%): girls or boys, exposed to parental smoking, with small airway to lung size ratio and uncontrolled asthma. FENO_0.05 was not different in these four clusters.In conclusion, FENO_0.05 is independently linked to two pathophysiological characteristics of asthma (ICS-dependant inflammation and bronchomotor tone) but does not help to identify a clinically relevant phenotype of asthmatic children.     

Cross-reactivity induced by Anisakis simplex and Toxocara canis in mice

The aim of this study was to verify whether cross-reactivity appeared between Toxocara canis and Anisakis simplex in an experimental rodent model. No cross-reactions were detected using sera from mice infected with T. canis eggs. When responses obtained against T. canis ES antigen using sera from BALB/c and C57BL/10 mice infected with T. canis eggs were compared with those obtained by testing sera from mice infected with one A. simplex L3, an increase in cross-reactions was observed using the C57BL/10 strain.