Pleural T-lymphocyte subsets in amiodarone-associated pleuropneumonitis

Chest. 1989 Mar;95(3):596-7. doi: 10.1378/chest.95.3.596.

Abstract

Two male patients presented with lung disorders with all the characteristics of amiodarone-related pneumonitis. Bilateral exudative pleural effusions were associated with pneumonitis. High lymphocytosis was present in the pleural fluid with a ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets close to that found in peripheral blood; in the blood T-lymphocyte subset ratio was nearly normal. By contrast, and as is usual in similar cases, lymphocytic alveolitis with T-lymphocyte subset imbalance was found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings, never published so far to our knowledge, would favor a compartmentalization of the immune response inside the lung.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / chemically induced*
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / complications
  • Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / immunology
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification*

Substances

  • Amiodarone