Eosinophilic bronchiolitis indicating eosinophilic airway disease with overexpression of carcinoembryonic antigen in sinus and bronchiole: case report

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2010 Jan-Mar;24(1):99-102.

Abstract

The present case showed eosinophilic bronchiolitis and sinusitis with an overexpression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in lung and sinus and an elevation of serum CEA level, both of which were improved by oral steroid therapy. A 54-year-old asthmatic woman had developed a shortness of breath on exertion, and the chest X-ray revealed diffuse centrilobular shadows. Her serum CEA level had increased gradually. Eosinophil infiltration and overexpression of CEA were demonstrated in both the lung and sinus by immunohistochemistry. Both the lung and sinus lesions, and the serum CEA level were improved by oral steroid therapy. No evidence of tumor was found by extensive examination. From this case, eosinophilic bronchiolitis was considered to be an airway disease like "eosinophilic sinobronchiolitis" through the common pathophysiology of CEA, and serum CEA level was a good marker of disease condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / complications
  • Bronchioles / metabolism
  • Bronchiolitis / complications
  • Bronchiolitis / diagnosis*
  • Bronchiolitis / drug therapy
  • Bronchiolitis / metabolism
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / blood
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / metabolism*
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis*
  • Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Paranasal Sinuses / metabolism
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Sinusitis / complications
  • Sinusitis / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis / drug therapy
  • Sinusitis / metabolism

Substances

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone