Changes in bronchial inflammation during acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Abstract

There are little data describing noncellular changes in bronchial inflammation during exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. The relationship between sputum colour and airway inflammation at presentation has been assessed during an exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis and a primary care diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Sputum myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, leukotriene B₄(LTB₄), interleukin-8 (IL-8), sol:serum albumin ratio and serum C-reactive protein were measured in patients presenting with an exacerbation and mucoid (n=27) or purulent sputum (n=42).Mucoid exacerbations were associated with little bronchial or systemic inflammation at presentation, and sputum bacteriology was similar to that obtained in the stable state. Purulent exacerbations were associated with marked bronchial and systemic inflammation (p4(p4may be more important in neutrophil recruitment in these mild, purulent exacerbations. In the stable state, IL-8 remained higher in patients who had experienced a purulent exacerbation (2p4concentrations.