The aim of the present study was to determine which bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serological parameters reflect the severity of newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Seventy-four previously untreated sarcoid patients were categorised into three groups: 10 patients with Löfgren's syndrome, 51 patients with stable disease and 13 patients with progressing disease requiring systemic steroid treatment.

Total BALF cell count, percentage of alveolar lymphocytes and lymphocyte CD4/CD8 ratio were not associated with severity of disease. Interestingly, a significant increase in percentages of BALF neutrophils (5.2±1.1%) and eosinophils (1.7±0.6%) was observed in sarcoid patients with progressing disease. Elevated percentages of these two cell types were the only BALF parameters associated with a more frequent necessity for systemic steroid therapy. This association between an elevated percentage of BALF neutrophils and the necessity for steroid treatment was observed in advanced as well as early sarcoidosis (radiological types I and II). Serum levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptor and neopterin were significantly elevated in progressing disease compared to stable disease or Löfgren's syndrome.

The present results demonstrate that increased percentages of neutrophils (>3.0%) and eosinophils (>1%) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis is associated with a significantly higher risk of necessity for steroid therapy and may be helpful markers of progressive disease. Furthermore, of the serological parameters investigated, only serum levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptor and neopterin were associated with disease severity.