Exhaled volatile organic compounds predict exacerbations of childhood asthma in a 1-year prospective study.

The hypothesis was that prediction of asthma exacerbations in children is possible by profiles of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a noninvasive measure of airway inflammation. The aims of the present study were to determine: 1) whether VOCs in exhaled breath are able to predict asthma exacerbations; and 2) the time course and chemical background of the most predictive VOCs. A prospective study was performed in 40 children with asthma over 1 year.

Feasibility of exhaled nitric oxide measurements at various flow rates in children with asthma.

Measurement of bronchial and alveolar exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels could be of clinical importance for the treatment of asthma. To discriminate between alveolar and bronchial NO, measurements need to be assessed at various flow rates. To study the feasibility, linearity, and long-term repeatability of NO measurements at four different exhalation flow rates in children with asthma.

Structural lung changes, lung function, and non-invasive inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and recurrent infections, resulting in (ir)reversible structural lung changes and a progressive decline in lung function. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between non-invasive inflammatory markers (IM) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), lung function indices and structural lung changes, visualized by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans in CF. In 34 CF patients, lung function indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity [FVC], residual volume, and total lung capacity [TLC]) and non-invasive IM (exhaled nitric oxide, and condensate acidity, nitrate, nitrite, 8-isoprostane, hydrogen peroxide, interferon-gamma) were assessed.

Metabolomics of volatile organic compounds in cystic fibrosis patients and controls.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), airway inflammation causes an increased production of reactive oxygen species, responsible for degradation of cell membranes. During this process, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are formed. Measurement of VOCs in exhaled breath of CF patients may be useful for the assessment of airway inflammation.

Feasibility of a new method to collect exhaled breath condensate in pre-school children.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a promising non-invasive method to assess respiratory inflammation in adults and children with lung disease. Especially in pre-school children, condensate collection is hampered by long sampling times because of open-ended collection systems. We aimed to assess the feasibility of condensate collection in pre-school children using a closed glass condenser with breath recirculation system, which also collects the residual non-condensed exhaled breath, and subsequently recirculates it back into the condenser.

Comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone vs fluticasone dry powder inhaler on exhaled inflammatory markers in childhood asthma.

Background: Extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone differs from other inhaled corticosteroids by its fine aerosol characteristics. Therefore, extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone may be particularly useful for treating peripheral airway inflammation in asthma.

Objective: To analyze the anti-inflammatory effects of extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone vs fluticasone dry powder inhaler (DPI) in asthmatic children by measuring bronchial and alveolar nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

Biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate indicate presence and severity of cystic fibrosis in children.

Chronic airway inflammation is present in cystic fibrosis (CF). Non-invasive inflammometry may be useful in disease management. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate: (i) the ability of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and inflammatory markers (IM) [exhaled breath condensate (EBC) acidity, nitrite, nitrate, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), 8-isoprostane, Th1/Th2 cytokines] to indicate (exacerbations of) CF; and (ii) the ability of these non-invasive IM to indicate CF disease severity.

Actual asthma control in a paediatric outpatient clinic population: do patients perceive their actual level of control?

Several epidemiological studies described poor asthma control in children. However, the diagnosis of childhood asthma in these studies is uncertain, and asthma control in children of an outpatient clinic population during treatment by a paediatrician is unknown. (1) to investigate the hypothesis that asthma control in a paediatric outpatient clinic population is better than epidemiological surveys suggest; (2) to find possible explanations for suboptimal asthma control.

Free radicals in exhaled breath condensate in cystic fibrosis and healthy subjects.

Many markers of airway inflammation and oxidative stress can be measured non-invasively in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). However, no attempt has been made to directly detect free radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Condensate was collected in 14 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and seven healthy subjects.

Cytokines in exhaled breath condensate of children with asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Background: Inflammatory mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) indicate ongoing inflammation in the lungs and might differentiate between asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF).

Objectives: To evaluate the presence, concentration, and short-term variability of TH1- and TH2-mediated cytokines (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 10 [IL-10], IL-5, IL-4, and IL-2) in EBC of children with asthma or CF and in controls and to analyze the discriminating ability of inflammatory markers in EBC between children with asthma or CF and controls.

Methods: Expired air was conducted through a double-jacketed glass tube cooled by circulating ice water.