Tsang K W, Zheng L, Tipoe G
University Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Respirology. 2000 Jun;5(2):91-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2000.00233.x.
Bronchiectasis is a common condition among the Oriental population and affected patients suffer from chronic sputum production punctuated by recurrent infective exacerbations. Cilia are minute structures present on the surface of respiratory and other epithelial cells that beat continuously to maintain a sterile mucosal surface in the respiratory tract. Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia could potentially develop recurrent sinotrachrobronchitis, bronchiectasis, serous otitis media, hydrocephalus, and male infertility. The assessment of cilia has, however, received little attention until recently and generally involves elaborate methods that require complex and expensive technology. This brief article discusses application of the saccharine test, light microscopy assessment of ciliary beat, and transmission electron microscopy assessment of the ultrastructure of cilia. The rationale and indications for ciliary assessment are also listed along with illustrations showing ciliary structure, equipment required for sampling and assessment of cilia, and transmission electron micrographs of ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities.
支气管扩张症在东方人群中较为常见，患病患者会长期咳痰，并伴有反复的感染性加重。纤毛是呼吸道及其他上皮细胞表面的微小结构，它们持续摆动以维持呼吸道黏膜表面无菌。原发性纤毛运动障碍患者可能会反复出现鼻窦气管支气管炎、支气管扩张症、浆液性中耳炎、脑积水和男性不育症。然而，直到最近，对纤毛的评估仍很少受到关注，且通常涉及需要复杂且昂贵技术的精细方法。本文简要讨论了糖精试验的应用、纤毛摆动的光学显微镜评估以及纤毛超微结构的透射电子显微镜评估。还列出了纤毛评估的基本原理和适应症，并配有显示纤毛结构的插图、纤毛采样和评估所需的设备，以及纤毛超微结构异常的透射电子显微镜照片。
