American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2019
CC16 Levels into Adult Life are Associated with Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure at Birth.
Rationale: Lung function and growth are adversely associated with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure. Lower levels of circulating club cell secretory protein (CC16) in childhood are also associated with subsequent decreased lung function. NO2 exposure may induce epithelial damage in lungs and alter club cell proliferation and morphology. ⋯ We observed modification by race (p interaction = 0.04), with stronger associations among participants with at least one black parent (-29.6% [95% confidence interval, -42.9% to -13.2%] per interquartile range). NO2 at participant's age 6 address was not significantly associated with CC16 levels (-1.9%; 95% confidence interval, -6.3 to 2.6). Conclusions: Higher exposure to NO2 at birth is associated with persistently low levels of CC16 from 6 to 32 years.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2019
Non-Invasive Imaging Biomarker Identifies Small Airway Damage in Severe COPD.
Rationale: Evidence suggests damage to small airways is a key pathologic lesion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Computed tomography densitometry has been demonstrated to identify emphysema, but no such studies have been performed linking an imaging metric to small airway abnormality. Objectives: To correlate ex vivo parametric response mapping (PRM) analysis to in vivo lung tissue measurements of patients with severe COPD treated by lung transplantation and control subjects. ⋯ PRMEmph correlated with increased airspace size (P < 0.001), decreased alveolar surface area (P = 0.003), and fewer alveolar attachments per TB (P = 0.01). Conclusions: PRMfSAD identifies areas of lung tissue with TB loss, luminal narrowing, and obstruction. This is the first confirmation that an imaging biomarker can identify terminal bronchial pathology in established COPD and provides a noninvasive imaging methodology to identify small airway damage in COPD.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2019
Practice Guideline GuidelineMicrobiological Laboratory Testing in the Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in Pulmonary and Critical Care Practice. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
Background: Fungal infections are of increasing incidence and importance in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Timely diagnosis relies on appropriate use of laboratory testing in susceptible patients. Methods: The relevant literature related to diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis, and the common endemic mycoses was systematically reviewed. ⋯ Recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: This guideline includes specific recommendations on the use of galactomannan testing in serum and BAL and for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, the role of PCR in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, the role of β-d-glucan assays in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis, and the application of serology and antigen testing in the diagnosis of the endemic mycoses. Conclusions: Rapid, accurate diagnosis of fungal infections relies on appropriate application of laboratory testing, including antigen testing, serological testing, and PCR-based assays.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2019
Comparative StudyGradual Aeration at Birth is More Lung Protective than a Sustained Inflation in Preterm Lambs.
Rationale: The preterm lung is susceptible to injury during transition to air breathing at birth. It remains unclear whether rapid or gradual lung aeration at birth causes less lung injury. Objectives: To examine the effect of gradual and rapid aeration at birth on: 1) the spatiotemporal volume conditions of the lung; and 2) resultant regional lung injury. ⋯ Only an SI caused greater upregulation of dependent lung gene markers compared with unventilated fetal controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Rapidly aerating the preterm lung at birth creates heterogeneous volume states, producing distinct regional injury patterns that affect subsequent tidal ventilation. Gradual aeration with tidal ventilation and PEEP produced the least lung injury.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2019
The Changing Prevalence of Lower Airway Infections in Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis.
Rationale: Historical studies suggest that airway infection in cystic fibrosis initiates with Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae, with later emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Aspergillus species are regarded as relatively infrequent, late-occurring infections. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and change in prevalence of early lower airway infections in a modern cohort of children with cystic fibrosis. ⋯ Conclusions:Aspergillus species and P. aeruginosa are commonly present in the lower airways from infancy. The decrease in prevalence of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus since 2000, coinciding with a more aggressive therapeutic approach, has resulted in Aspergillus becoming the most commonly isolated pathogen in young children. Further research is warranted to understand the implication of these findings.