TY - JOUR T1 - β-glucan in lymph nodes in sarcoidosis patients JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA828 VL - 48 IS - suppl 60 SP - PA828 AU - Marjeta Tercelj AU - Barbara Salobir AU - Ragnar Rylander Y1 - 2016/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/48/suppl_60/PA828.abstract N2 - Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a relation between fungal exposure at home and the risk of sarcoidosis. Other studies have shown that β-glucan, a cell wall agent in fungi, was present in BALF of patients with sarcoidosis. At higher levels there was a suppression of iNKT-cells and IL-10 and a relation to the severity of granuloma infiltration. The present study was undertaken prospectively to investigate the presence of β-glucan in lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis. The amount was also measured in Kveim's agent and in Propionibacterium acnes and Mycobacterium gordoniicultures.Material and methods: TBNA lymph nodeaspiration by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in regions R4 or R7 was performed in 33 patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis, stages II and I. The samples were treated to retrieve the non-soluble part of β-glucan and analysed using a Limulus based assay. Different CFUs/mL of P.acnes and M.gordoniiin one ml of saline solution, as well as samples of Kveim's agent were also analysed.Results: There was a significant relationship between the amount of non-soluble β-glucan in lymph nodes and the extent of granuloma formation in lung parenchyma (r= 0.849; p<0.0001) and the size of lymph nodes in mediastinum (r=0.689; p<0.0001). The samples of Kveim's agent contained high levels of non-soluble β-glucan. Different CFUs/mL of P. acnes also contained different levels of β-glucan as did those of M. gordonii although at lower levels.Comments: The results support a conclusion that non-soluble β-glucan and thus a higher level of fungal exposure is involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis through a depression of the normal immune defence system in susceptible patients. ER -