showing 4 related works from this author
The microbiome in respiratory medicine: current challenges and future perspectives
2017
The healthy lung has previously been considered to be a sterile organ because standard microbiological culture techniques consistently yield negative results. However, culture-independent techniques report that large numbers of microorganisms coexist in the lung. There are many unknown aspects in the field, but available reports show that the lower respiratory tract microbiota: 1) is similar in healthy subjects to the oropharyngeal microbiota and dominated by members of the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria phyla; 2) shows changes in smokers and well-defined differences in chronic respiratory diseases, although the temporal and spatial kinetics of these changes are only partially…
Validation of Murray sputum purulence scale in the Italian Registry of Bronchiectasis (IRIDE)
2018
Introduction: Murray sputum colour chart stratifies patients according to the presence of mucous (M), muco-purulent (MP) or purulent (P) sputum, and has not been validated in Bx yet. We aimed to validate this scale across a large Italian cohort of Bx patients. Methods: A secondary analysis of the IRIDE database was conducted including adults with Bx and daily sputum production enrolled across 13 Italian centres between 2014 and 2017. M vs. MP vs. P sputum producers were identified and clinical, functional and microbiological data were collected. Clinical outcomes during a two-year follow up period were evaluated in the Monza and Milan cohorts. A sensitivity analysis excluding COPD patients …
Primary ciliary dyskinesia in adults with bronchiectasis: Data from the Embarc registry
2018
Introduction: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited cause of bronchiectasis where defects in motile cilia result in failure to clear mucus. Individuals have life-long productive cough and recurrent infections Methods: The embarc registry is a prospective pan-European observational study of adults with bronchiectasis. Data entered into the registry between March 2015 and Jan 2018 was assessed. Disease severity in PCD was compared to two age and gender matched cohorts, the first consisting of individuals with immune deficiency and a second with idiopathic disease. Results: 287/11204 individuals (2.6%) were reported to have PCD. 65% were female, reflecting the female predominance in…
Quality standards for the management of bronchiectasis in Italy: A national audit
2016
Although historically considered a neglected disease, bronchiectasis has become a disease of renewed interest over recent decades in light of an increase in prevalence and a substantial burden on healthcare systems. In 2010, the British Thoracic Society (BTS) published guidelines on the management of bronchiectasis in adults, along with specific quality standards. To date, these represent the only quality standards available in Europe. These have been tested over a number of years in the UK with progressive improvements in the standard of care. No national guidelines are available in Italy and no indications on which guideline should be followed have been given by the Italian Society of Res…