Community-acquired pneumonia in southeast Asia: the microbial differences between ambulatory and hospitalized patients.

Study Objectives: To determine microbial agents causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Southeast Asia.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: Three general hospitals in Thailand.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in asthma: effect of asthma severity, allergen challenge, and inhaled corticosteroids.

Background: Asthma is associated with remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and increased airway obstruction, and the mechanisms of this process are unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes capable of degrading the ECM. They are released along with their inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP).

Clinical, laboratory findings and microbiologic characterization of bronchiectasis in Thai patients.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the clinical features, underlying disease states, laboratory findings and microbiological characterization of bronchiectasis in Thai patients.

Methodology: For a 2-year period all consecutive patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, were recruited. Data including history, physical examination, underlying disease and laboratory studies were carefully reviewed and recorded.