Guy Steuer

Encouraging Pulmonary Outcome for Surviving, Neurologically Intact, Extremely Premature Infants in the Postsurfactant Era

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the long-term pulmonary outcome of extreme prematurity at a single tertiary-care center from 1997 to 2001 in the postsurfactant era. METHODS We assessed symptoms, exhaled nitric oxide, spirometry, methacholine challenge (provocative concentration of methacholine required to decrease FEV₁ by 20% [PC(20)]), lung volumes, diffusion, and cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance. RESULTS Of 279 infants born, 192 survived to discharge, and 79 of these developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (65 mild, 12 moderate, two severe). We studied a subgroup of 53 neurologically intact preterm subjects aged 10 ± 1.5 years (28 with BPD [born, 26.2 ± 1.4 weeks; birth weight, 821 ± 164 g] and 25 without BPD [born, 27.2 ± 1 weeks; birth weight, 1,050 ± 181 g]) and compared them with 23 term control subjects. Of the BPD cases, 21 were mild, seven were moderate, and none was severe; 77.4% of subjects received antenatal steroids, and 83% received postnatal surfactant. Sixty percent of the preterm subjects wheezed at age < 2 years compared with 13% of the control subjects (P < .001), but only 13% wheezed in the past year compared with 0% of control subjects (not significant). For preterm and control subjects, respectively (mean ± SD), FEV₁ % predicted was 85% ± 10% and 94% ± 10% (P < .001), with limited reversibility; residual volume/total lung capacity was 29.3% ± 5.5% and 25% ± 8% (P < .05); diffusing capacity/alveolar volume was 89.6% ± 9.2% and 97% ± 10% (P < .005); and PC(20) was 6.5 ± 5.8 mg/mL and 11.7 ± 5.5 mg/mL (P < .001). PC(20) was < 4 mg/mL in 49% of preterm subjects despite normal exhaled nitric oxide. Most measurements were similar in premature subjects with and without BPD. Peak oxygen consumption and breathing reserve were normal, but % predicted maximal load (measured in Watts) was 69% ± 15% for subjects with BPD compared with 88% ± 23% for subjects without and 86% ± 20% for control subjects (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary outcome was encouraging at mid-childhood for neurologically intact survivors in the postsurfactant era. Despite mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, most had no or mild BPD. Changes found probably reflect the hypoplastic lungs of prematurity.

Biological function of the soluble CEACAM1 protein and implications in TAP2-deficient patients.

Interactions of natural killer (NK) cells with MHC class I proteins provide the main inhibitory signals controlling NK killing activity. It is therefore surprising to learn that TAP2‐deficientpatients suffer from autoimmune manifestations only occasionally in later stages of life. We have previously described that the CEACAM1‐mediated inhibitory mechanism of NK cytotoxicity plays a major role in controlling NK autoreactivity in three newly identified TAP2‐deficient siblings. This novel mechanism probably compensates for the lack of MHC class I‐mediated inhibition. The CEACAM1 protein can also be present in a soluble form and the biological function of the soluble form of CEACAM1 with regard to NK cells has not been investigated. Here we show that the homophilic CEACAM1 interactions are abrogated in the presence of soluble CEACAM1 protein in a dose‐dependent manner. Importantly, the amounts of soluble CEACAM1 protein detected in sera derived from the TAP2‐deficient patients were dramatically reduced as compared to healthy controls. This dramatic reduction does not depend on the membrane‐bound metalloproteinase activity. Thus, the expression of CEACAM1 and the absence of soluble CEACAM1 observed in the TAP2‐deficient patients practically maximize the inhibitory effect and probably help to minimize autoimmunity in these patients.

The impact of a national population carrier screening program on cystic fibrosis birth rate and age at diagnosis: Implications for newborn screening

BACKGROUND Population carrier screening (PCS) has been available in Israel since 1999 and universally subsidized since 2008. We sought to evaluate its impact. METHODS A retrospective review of governmental databanks, the national CF registry and CF centers. RESULTS CF rate per 100,000 live births has decreased from 14.5 in 1990 to 6 in 2011. From 2004-2011 there were 95 CF births: 22 utilized PCS; 68 (72%) had 2 known CFTR mutations; 37% were pancreatic sufficient. At diagnosis, age was 6 (0-98) months; 53/95 had respiratory symptoms, 41/95 failure to thrive and 19/95 pseudomonas. Thirty-four (36%) were Arabs and 19 (20%) orthodox Jews, compared to 20% and 8% respectively, in the general population. CONCLUSIONS PCS markedly reduced CF birth rates with a shift towards milder mutations, but was often avoided for cultural reasons. As children regularly have significant disease at diagnosis, we suggest a balanced approach, utilizing both PCS and newborn screening.

Propranolol treatment for infantile hemangioma does not increase risk of childhood wheezing

Propranolol is the treatment of choice for infantile hemangiomas requiring medical intervention. Although contraindicated in asthma, its bronchoconstrictive effect in infants and children has not been extensively studied. We aimed to assess the incidence of wheezing episodes in infants and children treated with propranolol for infantile hemangiomas.

Feasibility of multiple breath washout measurements in infants with bronchiolitis: A pilot study: Multiple Breath Washout in Bronchiolitis

Lung clearance index (LCI) reflects ventilation inhomogeneity and is raised in obstructive airway disease. Feasibility of multiple breath washout (MBW) measurement during acute lung disease in infants is unknown. As a further measure of disease, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may paradoxically decrease in acute bronchiolitis. We hypothesized that MBW measurements were attainable in infants with bronchiolitis and that LCI was raised and eNO reduced, compared to normal controls.

Clinical Impact of β-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

This case series describes 18 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients of a 135-patient CF center cohort with extended spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae, from 2003 to 2012. Four had chronic infection. Prevalence increased annually from 0 to 6.35%. Risk factors compared with the 2010 CF center cohort included continuous inhaled antibiotics (P = 0.014) and courses of intravenous antibiotics during the year before first isolation (P = 0.009). Hospitalization rates were 1.05/year and 0.47/year preinfection and postinfection, respectively (P = 0.02). Slope of forced expiratory volume at 1 second% predicted remained unchanged during 12 months.

The Spectrum of Nocardia Lung Disease in Cystic Fibrosis.

We reviewed all cases of Nocardia infection in cystic fibrosis patients at 2 centers. Eight of 200 patients had Nocardia in sputum. Four developed severe lung disease, including 3 with associated allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; 4 remained clinically stable. Nocardia is often associated with significant lung disease in cystic fibrosis, possibly associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or steroids.

Effectiveness of long-term routine pulmonary function surveillance following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Pulmonary complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are common and often subclinical. Thus, periodic pulmonary function testing (PFT) is mandatory.

Inspiromatic-safety and efficacy study of a new generation dry powder inhaler in asthmatic children

Dry powder inhalers (DPI) are effective but forceful inhalation required to fluidize the powder may be difficult for children and patients with airway disease. Inspiromatic is a new generation active DPI that actively suspends drugs in synchrony with inhalation. We evaluated safety and efficacy of Formoterol delivery via Inspiromatic, compared to Aerolizer, a conventional DPI, in pediatric asthmatic subjects.