Background: It is known that inflammatory responses occur in the airways of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis during respiratory exacerbations but the role of these cytokines is not clear in this condition. Herein we evaluated the levels of interleukin-1b (IL-1b), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage among children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on all children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis who were admitted with respiratory exacerbation in the pediatric pulmonology ward of Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran-Iran. All patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and spirometry before and after the bronchoscopy. IL-1b, IL-8, and TNF-a levels were measured in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage.
Results: Patients included 10 (59%) female and 7 (41%) male subjects with mean age of 13.8 years (range, 5-18). Mean values for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were below the normal range before and after bronchoscopy. Mean value for FVC (from 55% to 63%, P= 0.01) and FEV1 (from 60% to 64%, P= 0.26) increased after bronchoscopy compared to before that. IL-1b and IL-8 levels were increased and TNF-a level was decreased in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage but no significant correlation was found between spirometry and these cytokines levels.
Conclusion: Changes in inflammatory cytokines levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage during respiratory exacerbation in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis have no significant correlation with spirometry and cannot be used in clinical practice.