Table 2 Characteristics of subjects in the alveolar macrophage study
From: Impaired macrophage phagocytosis of bacteria in severe asthma
| Â | Normal | Non-severe asthma | Severe asthma |
|---|---|---|---|
n | 7 | 6 | 8 |
Sex (F:M) | 2:5 | 3:3 | 5:3 |
Age (years) | 39 ± 5.6 | 34.7 ± 6.0 | 43.75 ± 29 |
Atopy# | 1/7 | 6/6 | 6/8 |
Duration of asthma (years) | 0 | 25.2 ± 5.9 | 35.8 ± 5.2 |
Exacerbation in past year | 0 | 0.33 ± 0.33 | 3.25 ± 0.41*** |
FEV1 (% predicted) | 94.71 ± 15.7 | 83.08 ± 4.25 | 79.69 ± 4.95 |
FVC (% predicted) | 95.27 ± 14.65 | 97.43 ± 7.55 | 89.11 ± 4.35 |
Oral prednisolone (mg/day) | 0 | 0 | 8.13 ± 4.8 (n = 3) |
Inhaled corticosteroid BDP equivalent (μg/day) | 0 | 600 ± 263 | 2200 ± 414* |
Total BAL count (×106) | 10.7 ± 3.8 | 8.67 ± 3 | 7.3 ± 1.9 |
Cells/ml (×103) | 85 ± 24.4 | 74 ± 24.3 | 63.8 ± 18.9 |
Lymphocyte (%) | 18.6 ± 7 | 7.9 ± 1.4 | 5.12 ± 1.6 |
Eosinophil (%) | 0.6 ± 0.2 | 2.04 ± 1.2 | 4.14 ± 2.4 |
Macrophage (%) | 76.6 ± 7.7 | 88.2 ± 1.7 | 84.6 ± 12.4 |
Neutrophil (%) | 2.97 ± 1.2 | 1.37 ± 0.4 | 5.6 ± 2 |