Parenchymal and airway diseases caused by asbestos.

Purpose Of Review: The extensive industrial use of asbestos for many decades has been linked to development of benign and malignant pleuropulmonary disease. This review summarizes newer evidence and ongoing controversies that exist in the literature regarding asbestos-related parenchymal and airway diseases.

Recent Findings: Asbestosis represents a significant respiratory problem despite the improvement in the workplace hygiene and a decrease in use of asbestos.

C-reactive protein and copeptin: prognostic predictors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

Purpose Of Review: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a natural event in the course of COPD and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. Clinical criteria that define an acute exacerbation are subjective and open for debate. Identifying biomarkers that would be easily measured and followed in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD seems to be highly attractive.