Abstract
KL-6 is a glycoprotein found predominantly on type II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages, and often shows increased serum levels in patients with interstitial pneumonia. We report a case of mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection whose disease activity was correlated with KL-6 levels in serum. During treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) with prednisolone, chest image findings improved in association with decreased KL-6 levels. Following tapering of prednisolone, chest image findings deteriorated again as levels of KL-6 increased, suggesting recurrence of RA-ILD. Bronchoscopic examination revealed active MAC infection. Treatment of MAC infection not only improved chest image findings but also decreased KL-6 levels in serum, suggesting that KL-6 was increased by active MAC infection by itself, not by recurrence of RA-ILD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of KL-6 elevation in serum in association with active MAC infection.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 217-222 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Acta medica Okayama |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- Bronchial alveolar lavage
- KL-6
- Mycobacterium avium complex
- Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterium infection
- Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)