[Diagnostic use of bronchoscopy and bronchial biopsies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Studies examining the bronchial biopsy specimens taken from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) have shown that there is an inflammatory condition in which CD8+ T-lymphocytes and macrophages are predominated by using immunohistochemical staining. Although neutrophils are scanty in the airway wall, but are increased in the airway lumen. CD8+ cells exhibit a extensive distribution along the subepithelial zone of the airways. The number of CD8+ cells showed a significant negative correlation with FEV1 percentage of predicted. Patients with COPD examined during a mild exacerbation of the disease showed a prominent eosinophilia both in the airway wall and in the airway lumen. Studies of the bronchial biopsy have been provided more adequately information about the cellular and structural bases of COPD.