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Other investigations

Authoring team

Further tests include:

  • sputum may reveal:
    • the infective organism that triggered the acute attack
    • eosinophilia
    • Curschmann's spirals (casts of small airways)

  • FEV1/FEV:
    • usually less than 75%
    • improves with bronchodilator administration
    • there is usually a fall in FEV with exercise

  • blood culture - consider if infection has caused the exacerbation

  • hypersensitivity skin tests:
    • are not performed in the acute phase
    • may identify allergy to specific antigens, e.g. aspergillus, and so be helpful in guiding treatment

  • autoantibodies, particularly ANCA if Churg-Strauss syndrome is suspected

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