Bronchiectasis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients: Role of Prophylaxis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by an irreversible dilatation of the bronchi. The current view of the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis considers initial colonization of the lower respiratory tract by different microorganisms as the first step leading to an inflammatory response characterized by neutrophil migration within the airways and secondary secretion of a variety of tissue-damaging oxidants and enzymes such as neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase. Persistence of microorganisms in the airways because of impairment in mucus clearance may lead to a vicious circle of events characterized by chronic bacterial colonization, persistent inflammatory reaction, and progressive tissue damage. The exact prevalence of bronchiectasis in COPD patients is not known. It would be important to assess the prevalence, the kind of bronchiectasis and the bacterial colonisation. These are all important features that can be related to the natural history of COPD and to the therapeutic management of patient with COPD and bronchiectasis. Recent data indicate that macrolide long-term treatment and inhaled steroids therapy are both associated with a reduced rate of exacerbation, bronchial colonization and inflammation The present study will address, on a relatively large number of patients, the prevalence of bronchiectasis in COPD subjects using a multislice CT scan technique applied in all the units and centrally analysed by Unit 2 and 4. This analysis will determine the presence and the morphology of bronchiectasis. Bacterial colonization and inflammatory parameters will be evaluated on blood and exhalate bronchial condensate. Concerning bacterial colonization molecular biology techniques (Qualitative PCR and quantitative real time PCR) will be applied. ELISPOT technique for the evaluation of specific immune response will be used.Electron and optical microscopy techniques will be applied on bronchial biopsy samples obtained in a subgroup of patients enrolled. During the second study year, a randomized trial on patients with bronchiectasis will be performed. Patients will be randomized to receive a macrolide or inhaled steroids or standard of care for 6 months with a follow-up of 6 months. All the inflammatory, microbiologic and functional parameters described above will be recorded. A clinical and functional evaluation will be applied looking to number of exacerbations, quality of life, respiratory function parameters.