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Review
. 2022 Mar;43(1):35-46.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2021.11.003.

The Pathogenesis of Bronchiectasis

Mark L Metersky  1 , Alan F Barker  2
Affiliations
Review

The Pathogenesis of Bronchiectasis

Mark L Metersky et al. Clin Chest Med. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is a condition defined by permanently dilated airways and characterized by chronic cough and sputum and in many patients, recurrent exacerbations. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous condition, with numerous underlying risk factors and initiating conditions. These factors share in common the ability to impair the mechanisms by which the airways are protected from inflammatory or infectious insults. These underlying factors result in chronic bacterial infection of the airways, inciting a host inflammatory response in which the airways are the collateral damage. The damaged airways are unable to clear the infection, leading to ongoing inflammation and progressive damage.

Keywords: Bronchiectasis; Inflammation; Mucus; Polymorphonuclear leukocyte; Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Dr M.L. Metersky has served as a consultant for Insmed, Zambon and International Biophysics and has served as an Investigator in a clinical trial sponsored by Insmed. Dr A.F. Barker has no financial conflicts of interest to report.

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