Table 3 Results of cell analyses in induced sputum

Exacerbation

V+

V-

V + V+

V + V-

 Patients (N)

33

10

9

20

 Sputum weight (mg)

365 [201–560]

330.5 [90–710]

490 [460–575]

275 [128–630]

 n ×10³ total cells/mg

6 [3.4–16.1]

13.6 [7.8–24.5]

10 [3.5–20]

5.5 [2.8–11.1]

 Epithelial cells (%)

14 [8–24]

11.7 [5–14]

8 [6–12]

20 [11–24.5]

 Neutrophils (%)

68 [45.5–71]

47.5 [33–65.5]

68 [31–69.5]

65.5 [45.2–69.7]

 Eosinophils (%)

3.5 **[2–8.5]

1 [0.5–2]

2 [1–14.5]

4.25 [2.3–9]

 Macrophages (%)

10 * [7–21]

32 [9–51]

10 [8–21]

12 [6.5–21]

 Lymphocytes (%)

1 [0.5–2]

2 [1–3]

1 [0.5–1.5]

1 [0.5–2]

 Patients (N)

16

5

7

8

 Sputum weight (mg)

200 [85–325]

320 [15–330]

240 [40–420]

200 [135–260]

 n ×10³ total cells/mg

3.5 [2.2–15.6]

6.67 [3.1–9.4]

16.7 [2–24]

2.4 [2.1–3.5]

 Epithelial cells (%)

22 [13–35]

48 [8–66]

21 [6–28]

34.5 [20.5–50.3]

 Neutrophils (%)

26 [14–57.5]

25.5 [21.5–56]

57.5 ^#[34–81]

16.3 [10.5–39]

 Eosinophils (%)

1 *[0.5–8]

0.5 [0–0.5]

1 [0.5–26]

1.5 [0.5–8]

 Macrophage (%)

12 [6–38]

23.5 [10–30.5]

9 [5–11]

27.5 [9–38.5]

 Lymphocytes (%)

1 [0.5–2]

3 [2–5]

1 [0.5–2]

2.5 [1–5.5]