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Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health crisis. Despite progress, pediatric patients remain difficult to diagnose, with approximately half of all childhood TB patients lacking bacterial confirmation. In this pilot study (n = 31), we identify a 4-compound breathprint and subsequent machine learning model that accurately classifies children with confirmed TB (n = 10) from children with another lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (n = 10) with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% observed across cross validation folds. Importantly, we demonstrate that the breathprint identified an additional nine of eleven patients who had unconfirmed clinical TB and whose symptoms improved while treated for TB. While more work is necessary to validate the utility of using patient breath to diagnose pediatric TB, it shows promise as a triage instrument or paired as part of an aggregate diagnostic scheme.

Abstract Background: Reliable, reproducible deposition to the lung is a major prerequisite for the clinical use of inhaled drugs. Ciprofloxacin dry powder for inhalation (ciprofloxacin DPI; Bayer HealthCare AG, Leverkusen, Germany) is an antibacterial therapy in development using Novartis' PulmoSphere™ technology (Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland) for the targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin to the lung via a T-326 inhaler. Methods: This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study investigated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single-dose ciprofloxacin DPI (32.5 mg [n=6] or 65 mg [n=6]) and matching placebo (n=4) in adult patients with cystic fibrosis and stable pulmonary status (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec ≥30%) who were colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results: Peak sputum concentrations of 34.9 mg/L (range 2.03–229) and 376 mg/L (8.95–1283) for ciprofloxacin 32.5 mg and 65 mg, respectively, indicated targeting of ciprofloxacin DPI to the lung. This contrasted with low systemic exposure (peak plasma concentrations: 0.0790 mg/L [32.5 mg] and 0.182 mg/L [65 mg]). Single-dose ciprofloxacin DPI 32.5 mg or 65 mg was well tolerated with similar incidences of adverse events across all groups. No deaths, discontinuations, treatment-related serious adverse events, or clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters, vital signs, or lung function tests were reported. Conclusions: Lung targeting with high pulmonary concentrations of ciprofloxacin combined with low systemic exposure was confirmed. These results support further study of ciprofloxacin DPI as a potentially more convenient alternative to nebulized antibiotic solutions for managing chronic lung infections.

Background: This study assessed the ease of use of tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP) administered via T-326 inhaler versus tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) and colistimethate sodium (COLI), both administered via nebulizers, for the treatment of chronic pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: A real-world, open-label, crossover, interventional phase IV study was conducted in CF patients aged ⩾6 years with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ⩾25% to ⩽90% predicted. Patients were assigned to one of the three treatment arms in Cycle 1; all patients received TIP in Cycle 2. Each cycle consisted of 28 days on and 28 days off the treatment. Results: A total of 60 patients [mean (standard deviation) age, 27.6 (8.4) years] were allocated to three treatment arms [TIS/TIP (n = 14); COLI/TIP (n = 28); TIP/TIP (n = 18)] in Cycle 1. The mean total administration time, which included device setup and cleaning, in Cycle 1 versus Cycle 2 for TIS/TIP, COLI/TIP, and TIP/TIP arms were 37.0 versus 5.0 min, 16.4 versus 3.8 min, and 4.2 versus 3.4 min, respectively. The difference in mean total administration time was significantly shorter in Cycle 2 than in Cycle 1 for TIS/TIP (p = 0.0112) and COLI/TIP (p = 0.0016) arms. Overall, 12 patients were found to have contaminated devices across the two treatment cycles. In the TIP/TIP arm, no contamination of the T-326 inhaler was observed in either cycle. Treatment satisfaction, assessed by the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication and ACCEPT® questionnaire, was better overall for TIP compared with TIS and COLI. There were no unexpected adverse events and most were mild or moderate in intensity. Conclusion: The T-326 inhaler used to deliver TIP was easy to use, required shorter total administration time, and was much less frequently contaminated than the nebulizers. The safety findings observed for TIP were generally consistent with its established safety profile.

In the elderly, immunosenescence and malnourishment can contribute to increased risk and severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Gold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’) contains nutrients important for immune function and mitigation of symptoms of infection, including vitamins C and E, folate, polyphenols and carotenoids. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether regular consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces symptoms of URTI in older people, and determine the effect it has on plasma antioxidants, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and immune function. A total of thirty-two community-dwelling people ( ≥ 65 years) participated in a randomised crossover study, consuming the equivalent of four kiwifruit or two bananas daily for 4 weeks, with treatments separated by a 4-week washout period. Participants completed the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 daily, and blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of each treatment and washout period. Gold kiwifruit did not significantly reduce the overall incidence of URTI compared with banana, but significantly reduced the severity and duration of head congestion, and the duration of sore throat. Gold kiwifruit significantly increased plasma vitamin C, α-tocopherol and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations, and erythrocyte folate concentrations, and significantly reduced plasma lipid peroxidation. No changes to innate immune function (natural killer cell activity, phagocytosis) or inflammation markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine) were detected. Consumption of gold kiwifruit enhanced the concentrations of several dietary plasma analytes, which may contribute to reduced duration and severity of selected URTI symptoms, offering a novel tool for reducing the burden of URTI in older individuals.

Abstract Background: Repeated courses of intravenous (IV) aminoglycosides in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are associated with cumulative nephrotoxicity. Targeting their delivery through the inhaled route during acute pulmonary exacerbations may also be effective, but without systemic side effects. Methods: Using a randomized crossover trial design, in a pilot study we compared 14 days of IV tobramycin with nebulized tobramycin 300 mg twice a day (TNS) in acute respiratory exacerbations in 20 CF adults chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa). Patients also received IV colistin in both arms. Results: Improvement in spirometry was similar between the two groups [mean change in FEV1 % predicted: IV group 16.4 (standard deviation 8.5) versus TNS group 19.9 (11.3), p=0.26], but there was more suppression of sputum Psa in the TNS group [mean difference between treatments 0.85 log10 colony-forming units/mL (CI 0.03 to 1.67), p=0.05]. IV tobramycin was associated with a greater urinary protein leak [mean difference between treatments 0.59 mg/24 hr (0.30 to 0.87), p=0.0005] and higher urinary levels of markers of acute renal tubular injury: N-acetylglucosaminidase [0.72 IU/mmol (0.37 to 1.07), p=0.0004], alanine aminopeptidase [1.19 IU/mmol (0.70 to 1.68), p=0.0001], and β2-microglobulin [0.44 μg/mmol (0.16 to 0.72), p=0.0046] than TNS. Compared with IV tobramycin, TNS treatment prolonged the time to next exacerbation requiring hospitalization (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was similar with both treatments, and no serious adverse effects were recorded. Conclusions: TNS is effective in treating acute exacerbations of Psa in CF patients, but with a renal sparing potential compared with the IV preparation.

An increasing number of critically ill patients are immunocompromised. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), chiefly due to pulmonary infection, is the leading reason for ICU admission. Identifying the cause of ARF increases the chances of survival, but may be extremely challenging, as the underlying disease, treatments, and infection combine to create complex clinical pictures. In addition, there may be more than one infectious agent, and the pulmonary manifestations may be related to both infectious and non-infectious insults. Clinically or microbiologically documented bacterial pneumonia accounts for one-third of cases of ARF in immunocompromised patients. Early antibiotic therapy is recommended but decreases the chances of identifying the causative organism(s) to about 50%. Viruses are the second most common cause of severe respiratory infections. Positive tests for a virus in respiratory samples do not necessarily indicate a role for the virus in the current acute illness. Invasive fungal infections (Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Pneumocystis jirovecii) account for about 15% of severe respiratory infections, whereas parasites rarely cause severe acute infections in immunocompromised patients. This review focuses on the diagnosis of severe respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Special attention is given to newly validated diagnostic tests designed to be used on non-invasive samples or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and capable of increasing the likelihood of an early etiological diagnosis.

Current guidelines emphasise prudent use of paracetamol in febrile children without pain. Little evidence is available on paracetamol administration by parents in general and post-GP-consultations. To investigate if and how often parents of febrile children administer paracetamol to their child after consulting a GP during out-of-hours care. To explore if condition (painful or not), socio-economic status and age influenced this behaviour. This was a pre-planned secondary study, attached to an RCT (n = 25,355) that studied the effect of an illness-focused interactive booklet on antibiotic prescriptions in febrile children between three months and 12 years, at 20 GP out-of-hours centres across the Netherlands. Baseline data and ICPC codes were retrieved from the GP out-of-hours centre database. During a telephone survey two weeks after consulting a GP out-of-hours centre, a random sample of parents was asked if and how often they had given their child paracetamol. Parents of 548 children participated. Most parents administrated paracetamol for two weeks after consulting (83.8%). Children received 11 doses on average during follow-up (maximum 72 doses). Paracetamol administration increased with age. Age three to six months received paracetamol in 68% (17/25) of the cases versus 89.6% (121/135) in children aged five to twelve years. Frequency of paracetamol administration was similar for most common infections, regardless of being painful or painless. Most children who consulted out-of-hours general practice for fever and common infections received paracetamol at home during their illness episode, regardless of a painful condition being present. Paracetamol administration increased with age.

Background: The MOSAIC study compared moxifloxacin with three standard antibiotic regimens in patients with Anthonisen type 1 acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Further exploratory analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors of short and long term clinical outcomes and their value for clinical research. Methods: Outpatients aged ⩾45 years were screened between AECB episodes, randomised to treatment upon presenting with an AECB, assessed 7–10 days after study treatment, and followed monthly until a new AECB or for up to 9 months. Logistic regression assessed the predictive factors for clinical cure (return to pre-AECB status) and clinical success (cure or improvement), and a stepwise Cox regression model time to a composite event (failure of study treatment, new AECB, or further antibiotic treatment for AECB). Results: In multivariate analyses, clinical cure was positively influenced by treatment with moxifloxacin (odds ratio (OR) 1.49; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.04) while cardiopulmonary disease (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.90), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50% predicted (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.67), and ⩾4 AECBs in the previous year (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.97) predicted a poorer outcome. For clinical success, treatment with moxifloxacin had a positive influence (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.41) while cardiopulmonary disease (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.68) and use of acute bronchodilators (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.84) predicted a poorer outcome. The occurrence of the composite event was influenced by antibiotic treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 0.82; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98), age ⩾65 years (HR 1.22; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47), FEV1<50% predicted (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.53), ⩾4 AECBs in previous year (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.34 to 1.99), and acute bronchodilator use (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.87). For the composite event the beneficial effect of moxifloxacin was primarily seen in patients aged ⩾65 years. Conclusion: Despite selection of a homogeneous population of patients with chronic bronchitis, between group differences relating to antibiotic treatment could still be confounded by factors related to medical history, severity of disease, and use of concomitant medications. The design of future clinical trials should take these factors into account.

Background Infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop early progressive lung disease which may be asymptomatic. Infant pulmonary function tests (IPFT) and controlled ventilation-high resolution computed tomography (CV-HRCT) of chest can detect early asymptomatic lung disease. It is not well established that these objective measures can detect changes in lung disease after clinical interventions. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate usefulness of IPFT and CV-HRCT to detect changes in lung disease after intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy in infants with early CF-related lung disease. Study Design IPFTs and CV-HRCT done before and after 2 weeks of IV antibiotics in infants at our institution over the last 12 years were compared. CV-HRCTs were compared using the modified Brody scoring system. Results The sample included 21 infants, mean age 85.2 ± 47.6 weeks. Mean change in weight was 0.4 ± 0.38 kg ( p  = 0.001). Significant changes in IPFT included mean % predicted FEV 0.5 (+13.5 %, p  = 0.043), mean %FEF 25–75 (+30.2 %, p  = 0.008), mean %RV/TLC (−11.2 %, p  = 0.008), and mean %FRC/TLC (−4.5 %, p  = 0.001). Total Brody scores improved from a median of 10 to 5 ( p  < 0.001) as did mean scores for airway wall thickening ( p  = 0.050), air trapping ( p  < 0.001), and parenchymal opacities ( p  = 0.003). Conclusion IPFT and CV-HRCT can be used as objective measures of improvement in lung disease for infants with CF treated with antibiotics.

Culture-independent microbiological techniques have shown a previously unappreciated complexity to the bacterial microbiome of the respiratory tract that forces reconsideration of the interactions between host, bacteria, and the pathogenesis of exacerbations of chronic lung disease. The composition of the lung microbiome is determined by microbial immigration, elimination, and relative growth rates of its members. All these factors change dramatically in chronic lung disease and further during exacerbations. Exacerbations lack the features of bacterial infections, including increased bacterial burden and decreased diversity of microbial communities. We propose that exacerbations are occasions of respiratory tract dysbiosis—a disorder of the respiratory tract microbial ecosystem with negative effects on host biology. Respiratory tract dysbiosis provokes a dysregulated host immune response, which in turn alters growth conditions for microbes in airways, promoting further dysbiosis and perpetuating a cycle of inflammation and disordered microbiota. Differences in the composition of baseline respiratory tract microbiota might help to explain the so-called frequent-exacerbator phenotype observed in several disease states, and might provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention.