Abstract
Sputum induction can be used as a non-invasive technique to investigate airway inflammation in asthma and COPD. We reported the case of a 68 year old man with COPD, stage III GOLD, that underwent sputum induction during two exacerbation episodes. The first cell count showed a typical sputum neutrophilia, whereas the second showedsputum eosinophilia. On the basis of sputum cellularity, we decided to treat the first episode with a course of antibiotics and the second exacerbation with a course of antibiotics and oral steroids. The patient showed improvement in both cases, obtaining clinical stabilisation. The induced sputum cell count could be a useful technique in a clinical setting to evaluate the cellular characteristics of airway inflammation during COPD exacerbation and modulate the antinflammatory therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 23-25 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease - Cardiac Series |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2012 |
Keywords
- Airway inflammation
- COPD
- Induced sputum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine