Bacteriology and Inflammation in Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic disease arises from progressive airway inflammation and infection. It has been postulated that bacterial infection triggers intense airway inflammation leading to acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Antibiotics have been the most potent medications for the treatment of bronchiectasis, however, the sputum bacterial load and inflammatory indices at steady-state and exacerbation remain largely unknown. The investigation might shed light on the roles that antibiotics play in acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis and uncover the mechanisms on why a subgroup of individuals do not respond satisfactorily.