Early-phase neutrophilia in cigarette smoke-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia

Intern Med. 2003 Sep;42(9):839-45. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.839.

Abstract

Although cigarette smoking is a recognized cause of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP), and an increase in eosinophils in the lung is a common occurrence in AEP, early-phase neutrophilia in AEP is not well understood. We describe three cases of cigarette smoke (menthol type)-induced AEP with neutrophilia in the lungs or blood. Increased in-vitro production of the neutrophil chemoattractant interleukin (IL)-8 by human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) was correlated with neutrophilia. We suggest that IL-8 released from HBECs is involved in neutrophilia in the lung in AEP, and is newly recognized as an important factor in the early phase of AEP development.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bronchi / cytology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / immunology
  • Leukocytosis / etiology*
  • Leukocytosis / immunology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neutrophils
  • Nicotiana
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology
  • Smoke
  • Smoking / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Interleukin-8
  • Smoke