In vivo evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in atopic bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and sarcoidosis patients.

The intensity of inflammatory response was evaluated in skin test on guinea pig using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from patients with some diseases of the respiratory tract. The results of skin test were verified with activities of proteases in BAL fluid. The study was performed on 24 patients with atopic bronchial asthma, 21 with chronic bronchitis, 13 with sarcoidosis (II phase) and 18 control subjects. All patients were undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopies and BAL fluid was obtained. The results of skin test on guinea pig using BAL fluid were correlated with the activities of acid and neutral proteases. The highest activity of proteases and intensity of skin reactions were noted in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and sarcoidosis. Authors suggest that the skin test on guinea pig with BAL fluid may be useful tool for total evaluation of inflammatory response in patients with atopic bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and sarcoidosis.