IMMUNOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE PATHOGENESIS AND TREATMENT OF BRONCHIECTATIC DISEASE

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is characterized by constant and abnormal expansion of the airways of the lungs (bronchi) and/or disruption of the tone of the muscular layer of the bronchial wall due to inflammation, sclerosis, dystrophy, and hypoplasia. Bronchiectasis is a very common condition that is a leading cause of respiratory disease. A deficiency in the host's immune response to bacterial infection is considered the main condition for the development of bronchiectasis. In addition, many patients have no identifiable cause and are defined as having an idiopathic disease. This can lead to the development of chronic respiratory tract infection and subsequent inflammation. Patients typically have persistent disease despite aggressive use of antibiotics and optimal sputum clearance techniques. New treatments based on manipulation of the immune response are becoming available and offer significant promise for treating this condition.