TNF and bronchiectasis: While studies in children have found limited indication of systemic inflammation using standard clinical markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), total white cell count, protein, platelets] (16), a study of 22 children found that children with bronchiectasis (clinically stable) had a higher proportion of circulating proinflammatory lymphocytes (producing TNFα, IFN-γ, perforin, and granzyme), compared with children without suppurative lung conditions (23).