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Introduction: Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is a chronic airway disease characterized by the presence of fungi that trigger allergic reactions and airway obstruction. Here, we present a unique case of ABPM in which a patient experienced sudden respiratory failure due to mucus plug-induced airway obstruction. The patient's life was saved by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) and bronchoscopic removal of the plug. This case emphasizes the clinical significance of mucus plug-induced airway obstruction in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure in patients with ABPM. Case study: A 52-year-old female clerical worker with no smoking history, presented with dyspnea. CT scan revealed mucus plugs in both lungs. Despite treatment, the dyspnea progressed rapidly to respiratory failure, leading to VV-ECMO placement. Results: CT revealed bronchial wall thickening, obstruction, and extensive atelectasis. Bronchoscopy revealed extensive mucus plugs that were successfully removed within two days. The patient's respiratory status significantly improved. Follow-up CT revealed no recurrence. Fungal cultures identified Schizophyllum commune, confirming ABPM. Histological examination of the mucus plugs revealed aggregated eosinophils, eosinophil granules, and Charcot-Leyden crystals. Galectin-10 and major basic protein (MBP) staining supported these findings. Eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) and eosinophil cell death (ETosis), which contribute to mucus plug formation, were identified by citrullinated histone H3 staining. Conclusion: Differentiating between asthma exacerbation and mucus plug-induced airway obstruction in patients with ABPM and those with acute respiratory failure is challenging. Prompt evaluation of mucous plugs and atelectasis using CT and timely decision to introduce ECMO and bronchoscopic mucous plug removal are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the roles of types 1 and 2 interferons (IFNs) in regulating human eosinophils, which are important in allergic diseases. Using multi-omics analysis, the study found that IFN-α and IFN-γ had different effects on eosinophil regulation, including the upregulation of anti-viral and pro-inflammatory molecules. The study suggests that targeting specific types of IFNs could be a potential therapeutic strategy for refractory eosinophilic diseases. [Extracted from the article]

Cytolytic ETosis is a type of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necrosis and plays a major role in the innate immune system and disease progression. Through the process of ETosis, cells release their chromatin with diverse antimicrobial proteins into the extracellular milieu, forming extracellular traps (ETs). Although ETosis has been reported in several leukocyte types, few studies have compared ETosis and the component proteins of ETs in leukocytes. The aim of this study was to better understand the characteristics of eosinophil ETosis (EETosis) compared with other leukocytes. We isolated human blood eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes and stimulated them with known ETosis inducers, a protein kinase C activator PMA, or a calcium ionophore A23187. Both stimuli induced eosinophil cell death and ET release after 180 minutes of stimulation in a NADPH-oxidase-dependent manner. PMA also induced NADPH-oxidase-dependent ETosis in neutrophils, whereas little or no significant ETosis was observed in basophils, monocytes, or lymphocytes at 180 minutes. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of eosinophil- and neutrophil-derived ETs identified 997 and 1415 proteins, respectively. Among the physiological stimuli tested, immobilized IgA and IgG induced EETosis. C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) and interleukin 5 (IL-5) were weak inducers of EETosis, but co-stimulation significantly induced rapid EETosis. Under high serum or albumin conditions, co-stimulation with CCL11 and IL-5 paradoxically prolonged cell survival by preventing spontaneous apoptosis. This study provides an in-depth characterization of EETosis and highlights the precise regulation of eosinophil survival and cell death pathways.

Mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS) is a common complication of major abdominal surgery, characterized by flushing, hypotension, and tachycardia. However, its occurrence in neonates has not yet been documented. This report details a neonatal case of MTS that emerged during surgery for congenital duodenal stenosis. The patient was a two-day-old girl, born at 39 weeks and three days of gestation via vaginal delivery, weighing 2708 g. She underwent general anesthesia for the surgery, and continuous IV administration of remifentanil at 0.2 μg/kg/min was commenced minutes before the surgery began. Initially, her arterial pressure was 60-70/40-50 mmHg. However, shortly after bowel manipulation began, her blood pressure rapidly declined to 31/25 mmHg. Concurrently, her heart rate increased from 120 to 170 beats per minute, and she displayed facial and upper body flushing. Arterial blood gas analysis indicated a PaO2 drop from 124 to 61 mmHg at an FiO2 of 0.3. Treatment consisted of infusion loading and two bolus doses of 2.5 μg of phenylephrine (diluted to 2.5 μg/mL), which normalized her blood pressure within approximately 10 minutes. The facial flushing gradually subsided and disappeared after 40 minutes. Subsequent circulatory stability allowed for the successful completion of the surgery. There was no alteration in airway pressure, and hemodynamic stability was only compromised following the commencement of bowel manipulation. Given the serious risks associated with prolonged hemodynamic instability in neonates, the potential for MTS should be considered during anesthetic management in such cases., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Kodama et al.)

Objective: Most reported adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination have been transient. However, persistent adverse events may occur with some frequency. This study aimed to analyze patient background characteristics and trends, with a focus on whether adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination were transient or persistent., Methods: A retrospective study was performed at a single institution in Japan., Patients: The study cohort included 47 patients who presented with symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination between May 2021 and September 2023. The patients were classified into two groups based on the duration of symptoms: transient group, less than four weeks; persistent group, greater than or equal to four weeks. Data on age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, underlying conditions, type of COVID-19 vaccination, number of doses, onset, symptoms, and treatments were collected retrospectively., Results: The median age was 51.0 years and 74.5% were females, with a particularly high proportion of women in their 40s. The use of the bivalent omicron-containing booster vaccine (BA.1) was significantly more common in the persistent group than in the transient group (p = 0.0267). Onset in the transient group was more common after the first vaccination, whereas onset in the persistent group was more common after the second and subsequent vaccinations (p = 0.003). Regarding symptoms, pain was more frequent in the persistent group than in the transient group (60% vs. 13.6%; p = 0.001)., Conclusions: This study investigated the presence of persistent symptoms, especially pain, after COVID-19 vaccination. Persistent symptoms were frequently reported after the second vaccination. It should be noted that the study does not negate the usefulness of COVID-19 vaccines., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Review Board of Akita University Graduate School of Medicine issued approval 3080. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: Shigeharu Ueki has received grants and honoraria for lectures from AstraZeneca, honoraria for lectures from GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi, and grants from VIB and Maruho Co. Ltd. The other authors state that they have no conflicts of interest. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Hikichi et al.)