Does bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis predict prognosis in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and is this relationship influenced by low-dose immunomodulatory therapy at the time of BAL? - Takeaways - MDSpire

Can Lymphocytosis Detected in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Serve as a Prognostic Indicator in Fibrotic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, and Does Low-Dose Immunomodulatory Therapy Affect This Correlation?

  • By

  • Punchalee Kaenmuang

  • Fiammetta Danzo

  • Simon Bax

  • Richard J. Hewitt

  • Maria Kokosi

  • Vasileios Kouranos

  • Felix Chua

  • Peter M. George

  • Gisli Jenkins

  • Athol U. Wells

  • Carmel J. W. Stock

  • Piersante Sestini

  • Elisabetta A. Renzoni

  • July 21, 2026

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  • 1

    Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytosis is linked to improved prognosis in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP).

  • 2

    The study analyzed 247 fHP patients, with 162 untreated and 85 receiving immunomodulatory therapy during BAL.

  • 3

    Higher BAL lymphocyte percentages correlated with less severe disease and better one-year lung function changes in both treated and untreated patients.

  • 4

    BAL lymphocytosis independently predicted lower mortality in both untreated and treated fHP patients without treatment interaction effects.

  • 5

    The findings suggest that immunomodulatory therapy does not alter the prognostic value of BAL lymphocytosis in fHP.

Original Source(s)

Does bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis predict prognosis in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and is this relationship influenced by low-dose immunomodulatory therapy at the time of BAL?

  • by Punchalee Kaenmuang, Fiammetta Danzo, Simon Bax, Richard J. Hewitt, Maria Kokosi, Vasileios Kouranos, Felix Chua, Peter M. George, Gisli Jenkins, Athol U. Wells, Carmel J. W. Stock, Piersante Sestini, Elisabetta A. Renzoni

  • July 21, 2026

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