Allergic Sensitization Is Crucial for the Suppressive Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Acute Exacerbation of Asthma.

Introduction: Allergic sensitization is an important factor in the development, severity, and exacerbation of asthma, which is attributed to type 2 (T2) inflammation. Evidence suggests that respiratory bacterial pathogens (e.g.

Characteristics of Breath Sounds During Methacholine-induced Bronchoconstriction in Children with Asthma.

Objective: The utility of an analysis of breath sounds as a non-invasive lung function test in children and adults has been studied. Analyzing specific breath sounds during methacholine inhalation challenge is useful for evaluating airway constriction in asthmatic patients.

Patients And Methods: The study population included 57 children with atopic asthma (male: female = 38: 19; median age, 10 years [range, 5-16 years]).

Antibiotic Treatments Prolong the Wheezing Period in Acute Exacerbation of Childhood Bronchial Asthma.

Introduction: Although current guidelines recommend against routine antibiotic prescription for acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, children with acute exacerbation of asthma receive antibiotic treatment more frequently. In addition, those antibiotics are often prescribed only for exacerbation of asthma without concurrent bacterial infection.

Objective: To clarify the association between antibiotic treatment and bacterial colonization in acute exacerbation of asthma, we investigated whether or not antibiotics affect the clinical condition, laboratory findings, and pharyngeal bacterial colonization in those patients.

Pediatric Parapneumonic Effusion/Pleural Empyema in Japan: A Nationwide Survey.

Background: Pediatric parapneumonic effusion/ pleural empyema (PPE/PE) is a severe infectious condition, and its management should be guided by local epidemiology and the patient's medical history. This survey aimed to determine the clinical and bacteriologic features of PPE/PE in Japan.

Methods: A nationwide retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting 159 pediatric specialist training medical facilities for inpatients ≤18 years of age who were admitted for PPE/PE between January 2007 and December 2016.

Lung sound analysis in infants with risk factors for asthma development.

Background And Objectives: Using a lung sound analysis, the prognosis of asthma was investigated in infants with risk factors for asthma development by a long-term observation.

Methods: A total of 268 infants were included (median age: 8 months old). The lung sound parameters (the ratio of the third and fourth area to the total area under the curve [A/A and B/A], and the ratio of power and frequency at 50% and 75% of the highest frequency [RPF and RPF]) were evaluated at the first visit.

New Technique to Analyze the Breath Sound Spectrum in Children with Asthma.

Objective: Breath sound parameters have been reported as useful biomarkers for evaluating the airway condition.

Methods: The reliability of breath sound analysis using an improved method was investigated. Eighty-three asthmatic children were included in the present study.

A Lung Sound Analysis in Infants with Risk Factors for Asthma During Acute Respiratory Infection.

The parameters of lung sounds have been suggested as biomarkers of airway changes. Using a commercially available lung sound analyzer, we investigated the characteristics of the lung sounds in infants with acute respiratory infection (ARI). Infants with ARI who were 6 to 18 months of age were included in this study.

[EFFECT OF INSPIRATORY FLOW ON BREATH SOUND ANALYSIS IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA].

Background: In order to determine the optimal breathing method for childhood lung sound analyses, it is important to study the effect of airflow on the parameters of lung sounds.

Methods: Sixty-one well-controlled children with atopic asthma (median; 12 years) participated. After confirming that there was no wheezing or respiratory symptoms, the lung sound spectrums of the inspiratory flow before and after inhalation of a β stimulant were analyzed.

Changes in the Breath Sound Spectrum with Bronchodilator Inhalation in Asthmatic Children with Long-term Management.

Objective: Using a commercially available breath sound analyzer, the airway reversibility in asthmatic children during healthy periods was investigated.

Methods: Fifty samples of 34 children with asthma (median age, 11 years; range, 6-16 years) who visited our hospital and whose lung function was normal were included. The breath sound parameters, the frequency limiting 99% of the power spectrum (F) and spectrum curve indices, the total area under the curve of the dBm data (A/A and B/A) and the ratio of power and frequency at 50% and 75% of the highest frequency of the power spectrum (RPF and RPF) were evaluated before and after β agonist inhalation.

Differences in Virus Detection and Cytokine Profiles between First Wheeze and Childhood Asthma.

Objective: To distinguish between first wheeze and asthma in early childhood, we investigated respiratory viruses and cytokine/chemokine profiles among patients with first wheeze and established asthma.

Methods: We enrolled children with acute exacerbations of wheezing (17 first wheeze and 32 asthma) and 11 controls (no wheezing) aged between 10 months and 6 years. Nasal aspirates were obtained, and virus detection was performed with antigenic assay kits and/or RT-PCR.

The Suppressive Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae Colonization in Acute Exacerbations of Childhood Bronchial Asthma.

Introduction: Little is known about the association between bacterial infections and exacerbations of bronchial asthma.

Objective: To elucidate the effect of bacterial infections on bronchial asthma, we examined pharyngeal bacterial colonization, duration of wheezing, and serum levels of cytokines and chemokines during acute exacerbations of asthma in children.

Methods: Potential bacterial pathogens were investigated in pharyngeal samples and viruses obtained from nasal secretions of 111 children who were outpatients and/or in patients with acute exacerbations of asthma (mean/median age: 2.

The Evaluation of Changes in the Breath Sound Spectrum with Bronchoconstriction and Bronchodilatation in Asthmatic Children.

Objective: Focusing on the relative-middle sound area of the breath sound spectrum, the relationship between airway changes and breath sounds in asthmatic children was investigated.

Methods: In Study 1, 77 children (6-16 years old) were included. The breath sound parameters, the ratio of the second area to the third area of the power spectrum (A/A) and the ratio of the third area to the fourth area (B/B) were evaluated 3 times, before and just after methacholine inhalation and after β agonist inhalation.

Objective measurement of nocturnal cough in infants with acute bronchiolitis.

Objectives: The objective measurement of the cough severity and the assessment of the pattern of nocturnal coughing could be useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases in children.

Study Design: In children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced acute bronchiolitis, coughs were recorded using our original system with a microphone and accelerometer, and analyzed using our customized software program. The number of coughs in every 30-minute interval was measured in patients with acute bronchiolitis (n = 20), and their results were compared with those of infants with asthma exacerbation (n = 16).

Clinical characteristics of HNF1B-related disorders in a Japanese population.

Background: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (HNF1B), located on chromosome 17q12, causes renal cysts and diabetes syndrome (RCAD). Moreover, various phenotypes related to congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) or Bartter-like electrolyte abnormalities can be caused by HNF1B variants. In addition, 17q12 deletion syndrome presents with multi-system disorders, as well as RCAD.

Characteristics of breath sound in infants with risk factors for asthma development.

Background: Breath sound parameters have been suggested as biomarkers of the airway narrowing in children. Using a commercially available breath sound analyzer, the characteristics of the airway condition were investigated in infants with the risk factors for asthma development.

Methods: A total of 443 infants (mean age, 9.

Clinical Application of High-pitched Breath Sound in Children with Asthma.

Objective: Breath sound parameters have been suggested to be a new biomarker of airway conditions in asthmatic patients. We investigated new breath sound parameters to determine their utility for evaluating asthmatic children.

Methods: Fifty-seven children (mean age, 9.

Changes in the breath sound spectrum with bronchodilation in children with asthma.

Background: Breath sound parameters have been suggested to be new biomarkers of airway function in patients with asthma.

Methods: We investigated the effect of bronchodilation on breath sound parameters in sixty-four children (mean age, 8.9 years; range, 6-16 years) using a breath sound analyzer.

A breath sound analysis in children with cough variant asthma.

Background: Cough variant asthma (CVA) is characterized by a chronic cough and bronchial hyperresponsiveness without confirmation of wheezing. Using a breath sound analyzer, we evaluate the characteristics of breath sound in children with CVA.

Methods: Nine children with CVA (median age, 7.

An objective evaluation of nocturnal cough count and cough pattern in children with psychogenic cough.

Two patients with a chronic, barking cough were diagnosed with psychogenic cough. Using an original cough counter we studied the nocturnal cough count and pattern. While the number of coughs when awake was extremely high for both patients, the number of coughs was remarkably reduced during sleep, similar to an exacerbation of asthma.

Changes in the breath sound spectrum during methacholine inhalation in children with asthma.

Background And Objective: An effort-independent breath sound analysis is expected to be a safe and simple method for clinical assessment of changes in airway function. The effects of bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation on novel breath sound parameters in asthmatic children were investigated.

Methods: The study population included 49 children with atopic asthma (male = 33; mean age: 10.

A clinical method for detecting bronchial reversibility using a breath sound spectrum analysis in infants.

Background: Using a breath sound analyzer, we investigated clinical parameters for detecting bronchial reversibility in infants.

Methods: A total of 59 infants (4-39 months, mean age 7.8 months) were included.

IP-10 Is Elevated in Virus-Induced Acute Exacerbations in Childhood Asthma.

Objective: Viral infections and sensitization to aeroallergens are major factors in the exacerbation of asthma and its development during early childhood. However, the cytokine profiles and eosinophil activation status linked to the association between viral infections and sensitization to aeroallergens are incompletely understood. Here we investigated respiratory viruses, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and various cytokines/chemokines in acute exacerbation of childhood asthma.