ABSTRACT
T-cell response. It is postulated that this hyperactivity is due to loss of immunoregulation by CD1d-restricted natural killer T-cells (NKT).
Mycobacterialike 16 S
RNA
sequences are sometimes found in
lymph nodes
. The granulomas occur in lymph nodes (particularly mediastinal), lungs, bones, joints,
nervous tissue, and skin. The clinical features are fever, malaise,
lymphadenopathy
, and, later, dyspnea. Manifestations of immunological dysfunction include
lymphopenia
, but with an increase of CD4 lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased antigenexpressing capacity, and adhesion molecules on alveolar macrophages. There is disturbed cytokine function of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-2, and prostaglandin (PGE-2). There is no known effective treatment, but spontaneous resolution usually occurs within 6 months of diagnosis. If this has not occurred, a trial of
corticosteroid
therapy is justified.
