Dynamic changes and significance of sputum cells in bronchiolitis

Abstract

Objective: To observe the cell composition and changes of sputum cells in children with bronchiolitis at different stages of disease, and to explore their role in the pathogenesis of disease. Methods: 75 children hospitalized in 2016 compliance with standard bronchiolitis were selected. The course of the disease was divided into acute attack period, the improvement period and remission period. The levels of sputum cells, such as sputum shedding epithelial cells, neutrophils, eosinophil, lymphocytes and other sputum cells were examined by light microscopy at different stages of acute exacerbation, disease progression and remission. The expression and proportion of cells were compared, and the differences of cell expression and clinical significance were compared. Results: In the early stage of acute bronchiolitis, the sputum cells were mainly neutral and exfoliated epithelium, lymphocytes and eosinophil were small. When the condition improved, the epithelial cells and the neutrophils decreased, while the lymphocytes and allergic family history of children with eosinophil correspondingly increased. During the remission period, neutrophils and sputum shedding epithelium continued to decrease, while the lymphocytes, eosinophil continued to increase. Conclusions: Epithelial cell shedding is a common phenomenon in the acute attack of bronchiolitis, which may be associated with the wheezing symptoms of children. During the acute stage and improvement phase, there is a significant increase in sputum neutrophils attributable to infection. Eosinophilia is associated with anaphylactic individual and family history, and increased eosinophilia is associated with high airway reactivity and prolonged wheezing. Lymphocytes play a role in maintaining chronic airway inflammation.