Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterised by airflow
obstruction, airway remodelling (measurable structural change) and inflammation. The …

Background Former smokers now outnumber current smokers in many developed countries,
and current smokers are smoking fewer cigarettes per day. Some data suggest that lung …

Background Limited data prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suggested the
possibility of an increased risk of COPD among those persons with HIV infection. We sought …

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause morbidity, hospital
admissions, and mortality, and strongly influence health-related quality of life. Some patients …

Culture of bacteria from bronchial secretions in respiratory patients has low sensitivity and
does not allow for complete assessment of microbial diversity across different bronchial …

Study objectives The inflammatory responses and associated clinical severity of COPD
exacerbations are greatly variable, and the determinants of these factors are poorly …

Background The culture of bronchial secretions from the lower airway has been reported to
be positive for potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) in patients with stable chronic …

Airway inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of both airway remodelling and
parenchymal destruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Neutrophils …

Inhaled corticosteroid-containing medications reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations
(mainly infectious in origin) while paradoxically increasing the risk of other respiratory …

Background: Frequent exacerbations are associated with a faster decline in FEV 1, impaired
health status, and worse survival. Their impact and temporal relationship with other …