STUDIES ON PULMONARY SECRETIONS .1. OVER-ALL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PULMONARY SECRETIONS FROM PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS, BRONCHIECTASIS, AND LARYNGECTOMY

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Abstract
Total solids, deoxyribo-nucleic acid, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate are highest in amount in cystic fibrosis, intermediate in bronchiectasis, and lowest in the "normal." This relationship is reversed when the ash content and Na and C concentrations are considered. Ca is highest in bronchiectasis, intermediate in cystic fibrosis, and lowest in "normal" secretions. P and K occur in the same relationship as the organic constituents of the secretions. The differences in chemical composition between the 3 groups of secretions appear to parallel the degree and diffuseness of infection. The basic etiology of the pulmonary lesion in cystic fibrosis remains unknown. Secretions collected by expectoration from patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, and by aspiration from patients with laryngectomy, have been shown to yield reproducible and consistent results.

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