DISAPPEARANCE OF EOSINOPHILS FROM BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID AFTER PATIENT EDUCATION AND HIGH-DOSE INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS - A CASE-REPORT

Inhaled steroid therapy is being emphasized in the treatment of asthma but requires patient adherence to regular dosing regimens and skilled inhalation techniques for treatment to be effective. If used correctl y, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids may eradicate specific types of i nflammatory cells from the airway, whereas use of systemic corticoster oids in chronic asthma may not significantly reduce airway inflammatio n or clinical symptoms. We report a case in which reduction in inflamm atory cells in the airway was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage afte r individual patient education, training in self-monitoring, and treat ment with inhaled corticosteroids. Clinical symptoms were reduced afte r conversion of this patient from systemic to inhaled corticosteroids.