Detection of microorganisms in exhaled breath condensate during acute exacerbations of COPD.

Background And Objective: One hallmark of COPD is colonization and infection of the lung. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are acute deteriorations of the chronic disease and are associated with a change of the pulmonary microbial balance. The collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) can be used to non-invasively determine markers of lung disease.