Bronchiectasis: The forgotten worldwide epidemic

Bronchiectasis remains one of the most neglected respiratory diseases of modern times. Consequently, no clear definitions or classification exists and little is known about its true prevalence, particularly in Asia where it appears frequently with an aggressive phenotype. Asian prevalence is higher than that described in both Europe and North America.

Described as a pathologic condition rather than disease, and, commonly pre-fixed with ‘non-cystic fibrosis (CF)’, no identifiable pathological difference exists from that seen in CF. While much aetiology is described, large proportions, up to 50% remain idiopathic. A common cause particularly in Asia remains post-infectious, with both tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) infection dominating. Phenotypic subsets of patients with other respiratory diseases: asthma and COPD do illustrate co-existing clinically significant bronchiectasis which remains incompletely understood. Whether bronchiectasis in these settings is inter-related to the existing respiratory pathology or a separate entity remains undetermined. The mucus-rich lung in bronchiectasis fosters micro-organism growth: P. aeruginosa, H. influenza and NTM are commonly isolated while S. pneumonia and S. aureus less so. Fungi such as A. fumigatus are emerging pathogens and remain globally understudied. Most traditionally isolated organisms in bronchiectasis are well studied: NTM while common is difficult to eradicate and the presence of P. aeruginosa correlates with severe disease, worse lung function, more frequent exacerbations and reduced quality of life.

This thematic series aims to bring together leading names in the field to encourage greater attention and investment in both the management and research of the condition.

Bronchiectasis: The forgotten worldwide epidemic

EDITORIAL
Bronchiectasis: an emerging global epidemic
Sanjay H. Chotirmall and James D. Chalmers

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:76
Published on: 22 May 2018

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REVIEW ARTICLE
Pathogenesis, imaging and clinical characteristics of CF and non-CF bronchiectasis
Jürgen Schäfer, Matthias Griese, Ravishankar Chandrasekaran, Sanjay H. Chotirmall and Dominik Hartl

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:79
Published on: 22 May 2018

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REVIEW ARTICLE
Geographic variation in the aetiology, epidemiology and microbiology of bronchiectasis
Ravishankar Chandrasekaran, Micheál Mac Aogáin, James D. Chalmers, Stuart J. Elborn and Sanjay H. Chotirmall

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:83
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
"The missing ingredient": The patient perspective of health related quality of life in bronchiectasis: a qualitative study Emily K. Dudgeon, Megan Crichton and James D. Chalmers

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:81
Published on: 22 May 2018

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REVIEW ARTICLE
Patient information, education and self-management in bronchiectasis: facilitating improvements to optimise health outcomes
Katy L. M. Hester, Julia Newton, Tim Rapley and Anthony De Soyza

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:80
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Outcomes of lung transplantation in adults with bronchiectasis
Jodie Birch, Syba S. Sunny, Katy L. M. Hester, Gareth Parry, F. Kate Gould, John H. Dark, Stephen C. Clark, Gerard Meachery, James Lordan, Andrew J. Fisher, Paul A. Corris and Anthony De Soyza

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:82
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Viruses in bronchiectasis: a pilot study to explore the presence of community acquired respiratory viruses in stable patients and during acute exacerbations
Alicia B. Mitchell, Bassel Mourad, Lachlan Buddle, Matthew J. Peters, Brian G. G. Oliver and Lucy C. Morgan

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:84
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Profiling non-tuberculous mycobacteria in an Asian setting: characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients in Singapore
Albert Y. H. Lim, Sanjay H. Chotirmall, Eric T. K. Fok, Akash Verma, Partha P. De, Soon Keng Goh, Ser Hon Puah, Daryl E. L. Goh and John A. Abisheganaden

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:85
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
NonTuberculous Mycobacteria infection and lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis: a worldwide survey of clinical practice
Adrien Tissot, Matthew F. Thomas, Paul A. Corris and Malcolm Brodlie

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2018 18:86
Published on: 22 May 2018

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RESEARCH ARTICLE
The lung microbiome in children with HIV-bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional pilot study
Refiloe Masekela, Solize Vosloo, Stephanus N. Venter, Wilhelm Z. de Beer and Robin J. Green