Thorax 58:528-532 doi:10.1136/thorax.58.6.528   • Airway biology
Comparison of airway immunopathology of eosinophilic bronchitis
and asthma    1. C E Brightling,   2. F A Symon,   3. S S
Birring,   4. P Bradding,   5. A J Wardlaw,   6. I D Pavord   1.
Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, Division of
Respiratory Medicine, Leicester UK.   1. Correspondence to:
Dr I D Pavord, Institute for Lung Health, Department of
Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, Groby
Road, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK;   • Accepted 12 March 2003
Background: Eosinophilic bronchitis is a condition characterised
by a corticosteroid responsive cough, sputum eosinophilia, and
normal tests of variable airflow obstruction and airway
responsiveness. We performed a detailed comparative
immunopathological study to test the hypothesis that the
different airway function in patients with eosinophilic
bronchitis and asthma reflects differences in the nature of the
lower airway inflammatory response.  Methods: Exhaled