Analysis of Cellular and Protein Content of Broncho-Alveolar Lavage Fluid from Patients with Sarcoidosis

Abstract

1) The cellular and protein content of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid was studied in 11 patients with sarcoidosis and in 5 control patients.
2) The total cells recovered were greater in number in non-smoking patients with sarcoidosis compared to non-smoking control patients.
3) The percentage of lymphocytes in lavage fluid from sarcoid patients was greater than that of control patients regardles of the smoking history of the patients.
4) Because the degree of lymphocytosis in lavage fluid from smoking sarcoid patients was not as great as non-smoking sarcoid patients, it was suspected that smoking had an inhibiting effect on the lymphocytosis of the bronchoalveolar space in sarcoid patients.
5) The proportion of lymphocytes was greater in sarcoid patients with negative PPD skin test and high serum ACE activity. Lymphocytosis in lavage fluid mey be a good marker for assessing the activity of sarcoidosis based on these observations.
6) Remarkably increased PAM-lymphocyte adherence was seen in 3 sarcoid patients. In one of these patients, all lymphocytes adherent to PAM revealed rosette formation with neuraminidase-treated sheep red blood cells, indicating that they have T-lymphocyte.