The Canadian Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Registry: a study protocol.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a complex, chronic disease with geographic and ethnic diversity. While the most substantial cohort studies have been conducted in Europe and the USA, Canada also faces considerable challenges. The comprehensive Canadian Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Registry aims to 1) outline the clinical characteristics and natural history of bronchiectasis in Canada, 2) identify risk factors contributing to disease progression within Canadians, 3) integrate comprehensive clinical information to better understand the phenotypes of bronchiectasis and 4) support the development of large-scale, randomised controlled trials in Canada.

Antibody responses in blood and saliva post COVID-19 bivalent booster do not reveal an Omicron BA.4/BA.5- specific response.

Introduction: Current SARS-CoV-2 strains continue to mutate and attempt to evade the antibody response elicited by previous exposures and vaccinations. In September of 2022, the first updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, designed to create immune responses specific for the variants circulating in 2022, were approved. These new vaccines, known commonly as the bivalent boost(er), include mRNA that encodes both the original Wuhan-Hu-1 spike protein as well as the spike protein specific to the Omicron BA.

Characterizing long-COVID brain fog: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Long COVID or post-COVID condition (PCC) is a common complication following acute COVID-19 infection. PCC is a multi-systems disease with neurocognitive impairment frequently reported regardless of age. Little is known about the risk factors, associated biomarkers and clinical trajectory of patients with this symptom.

Reliability and validity of the post COVID-19 condition stigma questionnaire: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Many of the 10-20% percent of COVID-19 survivors who develop Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC, or Long COVID) describe experiences suggestive of stigmatization, a known social determinant of health. Our objective was to develop an instrument, the Post COVID-19 Condition Stigma Questionnaire (PCCSQ), with which to quantify and characterise PCC-related stigma.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the reliability and validity of the PCCSQ.

Persistent dyspnea after COVID-19 is not related to cardiopulmonary impairment; a cross-sectional study of persistently dyspneic COVID-19, non-dyspneic COVID-19 and controls.

Up to 53% of individuals who had mild COVID-19 experience symptoms for >3-month following infection (Long-CoV). Dyspnea is reported in 60% of Long-CoV cases and may be secondary to impaired exercise capacity (VO) as a result of pulmonary, pulmonary vascular, or cardiac insult. This study examined whether cardiopulmonary mechanisms could explain exertional dyspnea in Long-CoV.

The effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for Post-COVID symptoms: A rapid review of the literature.

Background: Multi-disciplinary rehabilitation is recommended for individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection (i.e., symptoms 3-4 weeks after acute infection).

COVID-19 hospitalization is associated with pulmonary/diffusion abnormalities but not post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 severity.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has resulted in much acute morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is now a growing recognition of the post-acute sequela of COVID-19, termed long COVID. However, the risk factors contributing to this condition remain unclear.

Exertional intolerance and dyspnea with preserved lung function: an emerging long COVID phenotype?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant acute morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is now a growing recognition of the longer-term sequelae of this infection, termed "long COVID". However, little is known about this condition.

Acute Cough Due to Acute Bronchitis in Immunocompetent Adult Outpatients: CHEST Expert Panel Report.

Background: Evidence for the diagnosis and management of cough due to acute bronchitis in immunocompetent adult outpatients was reviewed as an update to the 2006 "Chronic Cough Due to Acute Bronchitis: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines."

Methods: Acute bronchitis was defined as an acute lower respiratory tract infection manifested predominantly by cough with or without sputum production, lasting no more than 3 weeks with no clinical or any recent radiographic evidence to suggest an alternative explanation. Two clinical population, intervention, comparison, outcome questions were addressed by systematic review in July 2017: (1) the role of investigations beyond the clinical assessment of patients presenting with suspected acute bronchitis, and (2) the efficacy and safety of prescribing medication for cough in acute bronchitis.

Association between vitamin D status in early pregnancy and atopy in offspring in a vitamin D deplete cohort.

Background: Vitamin D status may play a role in the development of atopic diseases due to its action on lung development and immune system development and function.

Aims: Our objective was to assess whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in maternal blood in pregnancy were associated with atopy in children.

Methods: We analysed 279 mother-child pairs from the ROLO study conducted in Dublin, Ireland.

Paediatric and adult bronchiectasis: Diagnosis, disease burden and prognosis.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic, debilitating disease with increasing worldwide prevalence and burden. Accurate and early diagnosis is essential for both its management and prognosis. This review will discuss the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, the international burden of the disease and its current prognosis.

British Thoracic Society guideline for bronchiectasis in adults.

The full British Thoracic Society Guideline for Bronchiectasis in Adults is published in . The following is a summary of the recommendations and good practice points. The sections referred to in the summary refer to the full guideline.

Validation of the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test as a Clinical End Point in Bronchiectasis.

Background: A validated clinical end point is needed to assess response to therapies in bronchiectasis.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) as a clinical end point in bronchiectasis.

Methods: In clinically stable patients (n = 30), the ISWT was performed twice, 6 months apart.

Delayed neutrophil apoptosis enhances NET formation in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is defined by large numbers of neutrophils and associated damaging products in the airway. Delayed neutrophil apoptosis is described in CF although it is unclear whether this is a primary neutrophil defect or a response to chronic inflammation. Increased levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been measured in CF and we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between these phenomena and their potential to serve as a driver of inflammation.

The use of fructosamine in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) screening.

Objective: To determine whether serum fructosamine correlates with glycemic control and clinical outcomes in patients being screened for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD).

Methods: Fructosamine and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV) were measured in patients undergoing a 2h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for CFRD screening. Fractional serum fructosamine (FSF) was calculated as fructosamine/total protein.

Diagnosis and management of bronchiectasis.

KEY POINTS Following a diagnosis of bronchiectasis, it is important to investigate for an underlying cause. Goals of management are to suppress airway infection and inflammation, to improve symptoms and health-related quality of life. There are now validated scoring tools to help assess disease severity, which can help to stratify management.

A prospective cohort study of the use of domiciliary intravenous antibiotics in bronchiectasis.

Background: We introduced domiciliary intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy in patients with bronchiectasis to promote patient-centred domiciliary treatment instead of hospital inpatient treatment.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of domiciliary IV antibiotic therapy in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Methods: In this prospective study conducted over 5 years, we assessed patients' eligibility for receiving domiciliary treatment.

Mannose-binding lectin deficiency and disease severity in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a prospective study.

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key component of innate immunity. MBL deficiency is common (10-30% of the general population depending on the definition used) and has been associated with disease progression in cystic fibrosis. We aimed to assess the effect of MBL deficiency on disease severity in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Short- and long-term antibiotic treatment reduces airway and systemic inflammation in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Rationale: The vicious cycle hypothesis of bronchiectasis argues that bacterial colonization leads to airway inflammation and progressive lung damage. The logical extension of this hypothesis is that acute or chronic antibiotic therapy should improve airway inflammation and clinical outcome. There are little data to support this hypothesis in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis.

Evaluating success of therapy for bronchiectasis: what end points to use?

Long-term treatment goals of bronchiectasis frequently include limiting the bacterial burden and inflammatory insult in the airways with the aim of improving symptoms, reducing exacerbation frequency and severity, and improving health-related quality-of-life. However, few clinical or laboratory markers specifically validated for bronchiectasis exist, and how best to assess the disease and its response to treatment is poorly understood. Pertinent, reliable markers are urgently needed to facilitate effective treatment of bronchiectasis and to ensure ongoing development of future therapies.