The effect of 3% and 6% hypertonic saline in viral bronchiolitis: a randomised controlled trial.

Bronchiolitis is a common disorder in young children that often results in hospitalisation. Except for a possible effect of nebulised hypertonic saline (sodium chloride), no evidence-based therapy is available. This study investigated the efficacy of nebulised 3% and 6% hypertonic saline compared with 0.

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.

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).

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.

Childhood asthma: exhaled markers of airway inflammation, asthma control score, and lung function tests.

Exhaled markers of airway inflammation become increasingly important in the management of childhood asthma. The aims of the present study are: 1) to compare exhaled markers of inflammation (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and acidity of breath condensate) with conventional asthma measures (lung function tests and asthma control score) in childhood asthma; and 2) to investigate the detectability of albumin, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, sICAM-1, and sTNF-R75 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of asthmatic children. Thirty-two children with mild to moderate persistent asthma and healthy controls aged 6-12 years were studied.

Exhaled breath condensate in children: pearls and pitfalls.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a rapidly growing field of research in respiratory medicine. Airway inflammation is a central feature of chronic lung diseases, like asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and primary ciliary dyskinesia. EBC may be a useful technique for non-invasive assessment of markers of airway inflammation.