Eur Respir J 1997; 10:301-307 Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 1997
Lung immunopathology in cases of sudden asthma death
JL Faul,
VJ Tormey,
C Leonard,
CM Burke,
J Farmer,
SJ Horne,
and
LW Poulter
The histopathology of airway inflammation in rare cases of sudden asphyxic asthma death (SAAD) is unclear. This study examines, for the first time, the relative disposition of lymphocyte and macrophage subsets and eosinophils in proximal and distal tissues of such cases. Multiple resection specimens from five cases of SAAD were studied. Tissue blocks were obtained at necroscopy and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen within 18 hours of death (death occurring within 1 h of the onset of an unprovoked asphyxic asthma attack). After immunohistological staining, frozen sections underwent semi-quantitative analysis (cell counts per unit area) for T-cells, macrophages and eosinophils using computerized imaging systems. Subsets of T-cells and macrophages were estimated using double immunofluorescence techniques. Variability within samples, between samples and between cases was compared. These cases of fatal asthma showed infiltrates of T-cells, macrophages and eosinophils within peribronchial tissues. Distinct from stable asthma, a CD8+ T-cell dominance was found. A high proportion of eosinophils were activated (EG2+), whereas the relative proportion of antigen-presenting cells (RFD1+) did not seem to be abnormal, although numbers of these cells were high. These features were seen both in proximal and distal tissues. The variability of these parameters within an individual was 9.4-15.2%, however, the variability between individual cases was greater. Sudden asphyxic asthma is associated with inflammatory infiltrates both of proximal and distal lung tissues. In contrast to stable asthma, this infiltrate contains large numbers of CD8+ T-cells, suggesting distinct qualitative as well as quantitative characteristics in the immunopathology of sudden asthma death.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. L. Innes, S. D. Carrington, D. J. Thornton, S. Kirkham, K. Rousseau, R. H. Dougherty, W. W. Raymond, G. H. Caughey, S. J. Muller, and J. V. Fahy
Ex Vivo Sputum Analysis Reveals Impairment of Protease-dependent Mucus Degradation by Plasma Proteins in Acute Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
August 1, 2009;
180(3):
203 - 210.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P-R. Burgel, J. de Blic, P. Chanez, C. Delacourt, P. Devillier, A. Didier, J-C. Dubus, I. Frachon, G. Garcia, M. Humbert, et al.
Update on the roles of distal airways in asthma
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
June 1, 2009;
18(112):
80 - 95.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. Rydell-Tormanen, J. R. Johnson, R. Fattouh, M. Jordana, and J. S. Erjefalt
Induction of Vascular Remodeling in the Lung by Chronic House Dust Mite Exposure
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.,
July 1, 2008;
39(1):
61 - 67.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. L. James and S. Wenzel
Clinical relevance of airway remodelling in airway diseases
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2007;
30(1):
134 - 155.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. M. O'Sullivan
Asthma Death, CD8+ T Cells, and Viruses
Proceedings of the ATS,
August 1, 2005;
2(2):
162 - 165.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. Kanazawa, K. Hirata, and J. Yoshikawa
Increased Responses to Inhaled Oxitropium Bromide in Asthmatic Patients With Active Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Chest,
April 1, 2004;
125(4):
1368 - 1371.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. R. McFadden Jr.
Acute Severe Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
October 1, 2003;
168(7):
740 - 759.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. K. Tulic and Q. Hamid
Contribution of the Distal Lung to the Pathologic and Physiologic Changes in Asthma: Potential Therapeutic Target Roger S. Mitchell Lecture
Chest,
March 1, 2003;
123
(2009):
348S - 355S.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P Phipps and C S Garrard
The pulmonary physician in critical care * 12: Acute severe asthma in the intensive care unit
Thorax,
January 1, 2003;
58(1):
81 - 88.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J Rainbow and G J Browne
Fatal asthma or anaphylaxis?
Emerg. Med. J.,
September 1, 2002;
19(5):
415 - 417.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. James and N. Carroll
Transbronchial biopsy as a tool to evaluate small-airways disease in asthma. Cons
Eur. Respir. J.,
August 1, 2002;
20(2):
249 - 251.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
V. Plaza, J. Serrano, C. Picado, and J. Sanchis
Frequency and clinical characteristics of rapid-onset fatal and near-fatal asthma
Eur. Respir. J.,
May 1, 2002;
19(5):
846 - 852.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. L. Faul, E. A. Demers, C. M. Burke, and L. W. Poulter
Alterations in Airway Inflammation and Lung Function During Corticosteroid Therapy for Atopic Asthma*
Chest,
May 1, 2002;
121(5):
1414 - 1420.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. Wassermann
Is Asthma Another Interstitial Lung Disease?
Chest,
March 1, 2002;
121(3):
673 - 674.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. L. KEPLEY, P. J. McFEELEY, J. M. OLIVER, and M. F. LIPSCOMB
Immunohistochemical Detection of Human Basophils in Postmortem Cases of Fatal Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 15, 2001;
164(6):
1053 - 1058.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. O'SULLIVAN, L. CORMICAN, J. L. FAUL, S. ICHINOHE, S. L. JOHNSTON, C. M. BURKE, and L. W. POULTER
Activated, Cytotoxic CD8+ T Lymphocytes Contribute to the Pathology of Asthma Death
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
August 15, 2001;
164(4):
560 - 564.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. KRAFT, J. PAK, R. J. MARTIN, D. KAMINSKY, and C. G. IRVIN
Distal Lung Dysfunction at Night in Nocturnal Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
June 1, 2001;
163(7):
1551 - 1556.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. C. C. M.i.`t VEEN, A. J. BEEKMAN, E. H. BEL, and P. J. STERK
Recurrent Exacerbations in Severe Asthma Are Associated with Enhanced Airway Closure During Stable Episodes
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
June 1, 2000;
161(6):
1902 - 1906.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. BOUSQUET, P. K. JEFFERY, W. W. BUSSE, M. JOHNSON, and A. M. VIGNOLA
Asthma . From Bronchoconstriction to Airways Inflammation and Remodeling
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
May 1, 2000;
161(5):
1720 - 1745.
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. L. FAUL, E. A. DEMERS, C. M. BURKE, and L. W. POULTER
The Reproducibility of Repeat Measures of Airway Inflammation in Stable Atopic Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
November 1, 1999;
160(5):
1457 - 1461.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F. M. SPOELSTRA, H. HOVENGA, J. A. NOORDHOEK, D. S. POSTMA, and H. F. KAUFFMAN
Changes in CD11b and L-selectin Expression on Eosinophils Are Mediated by Human Lung Fibroblasts In Vitro
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 1, 1998;
158(3):
769 - 777.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. L Faul, C. T Leonard, C. M Burke, V. J Tormey, and L. W Poulter
Fluticasone propionate induced alterations to lung function and the immunopathology of asthma over time
Thorax,
September 1, 1998;
53(9):
753 - 761.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. J. HALEY, M. E. SUNDAY, B. R. WIGGS, H. P. KOZAKEWICH, J. J. REILLY, S. J. MENTZER, D. J. SUGARBAKER, C. M. DOERSCHUK, and J. M. DRAZEN
Inflammatory Cell Distribution within and along Asthmatic Airways
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
August 1, 1998;
158(2):
565 - 572.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. M. VIGNOLA, J. BOUSQUET, P. CHANEZ, R. GAGLIARDO, A. M. MERENDINO, G. CHIAPPARA, and G. BONSIGNORE
Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
May 1, 1997;
157(5):
184 - 187.
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. R. ROCHE
Inflammatory and Structural Changes in the Small Airways in Bronchial Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
May 1, 1997;
157(5):
191 - 194.
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. M. FABBRI, G. CARAMORI, B. BEGHE, A. PAPI, and A. CIACCIA
Physiologic Consequences of Long-term Inflammation
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
May 1, 1997;
157(5):
195 - 198.
[Full Text]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 1997 by the European Respiratory Society.
|
|