Title |
Lung microbiology and exacerbations in COPD
|
---|---|
Published in |
International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, August 2012
|
DOI | 10.2147/copd.s28286 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Victoria Beasley, Priya V Joshi, Aran Singanayagam, Philip L Molyneaux, Sebastian L Johnston, Patrick Mallia |
Abstract |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory condition in adults and is characterized by progressive airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The main etiological agents linked with COPD are cigarette smoking and biomass exposure but respiratory infection is believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of both stable COPD and in acute exacerbations. Acute exacerbations are associated with more rapid decline in lung function and impaired quality of life and are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in COPD. Preventing exacerbations is a major therapeutic goal but currently available treatments for exacerbations are not very effective. Historically, bacteria were considered the main infective cause of exacerbations but with the development of new diagnostic techniques, respiratory viruses are also frequently detected in COPD exacerbations. This article aims to provide a state-of-the art review of current knowledge regarding the role of infection in COPD, highlight the areas of ongoing debate and controversy, and outline emerging technologies and therapies that will influence future diagnostic and therapeutic pathways in COPD. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 1 | 33% |
Unknown | 2 | 67% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 33% |
Members of the public | 1 | 33% |
Scientists | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
India | 3 | 1% |
United Kingdom | 2 | <1% |
Netherlands | 1 | <1% |
Canada | 1 | <1% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 212 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 41 | 19% |
Researcher | 32 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 31 | 14% |
Student > Master | 28 | 13% |
Student > Postgraduate | 14 | 6% |
Other | 39 | 18% |
Unknown | 35 | 16% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 72 | 33% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 39 | 18% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 22 | 10% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 10 | 5% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 8 | 4% |
Other | 24 | 11% |
Unknown | 45 | 20% |