Fig. 2

Correlations between CXCL10 concentration and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores. We evaluated HRCT findings for the presence, distribution and extent of the eight signs: cavities, consolidation, bronchiectasis, fibrosis, ground glass opacity, miliary nodules, nodules and bronchial wall thickening. The total HRCT score was the sum of the scores for the whole lung fields. The nodular bronchiectatic (NB) score was the total of four parameters (bronchiectasis, miliary nodules, nodules and bronchial wall thickening). The CXCL10 concentration positively correlated with the total HRCT score (a), and especially with the cavity score (b). It also showed a moderate positive association with the NB score (c). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between CXCL10 and the HRCT scan scores. Ln: natural logarithm