Acute

 Acute bronchitis is characterized by acute inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree. This condition may be part of, or preceded by, an upper respiratory tract infection such as influenza (the “flu”) or the common cold. Most infections occur during the winter when acute respiratory tract infections are common.

The pathogenesis of acute bronchitis has no specific documented etiology but appears to be a mixture of viral cytopathic events and a response by the host immune system. Regardless of the cause, the protective functions of the bronchial epithelium are disturbed and excessive fluid accumulates in the bronchi. Depending on the etiology, destruction of the bronchial epithelium may be either extensive (e.g., influenza virus) or minimal (e.g., rhinovirus colds).

Clinically, bronchitis is characterized by cough, variable fever, and sputum production. Sputum (pus from the lungs) is often clear at the onset but may become purulent as the illness persists. Bronchitis may manifest as croup (a clinical condition marked by a barking cough or hoarseness).

The value of microbiologic studies to determine the cause of acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy individuals has not been established. Acute bronchitis is caused by viral agents, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The bacterium Bordetella pertussis is often associated with bronchitis in infants and preschool children (Table 1). The best specimen for diagnosis of pertussis is a deep nasopharyngeal specimen collected with a calcium alginate swab.

Table1. Major Causes of Acute Bronchitis

Chronic versus Acute

 Chronic bronchitis is a common condition affecting about 10% to 25% of adults. This disease is defined by clinical symptoms in which excessive mucus production leads to coughing up sputum on most days during at least 3 consecutive months for more than 2 successive years.

Cigarette smoking, infection, and inhalation of dust or fumes are important contributing factors. Acute bronchitis is not related to long-term etiologies causing damage to the lungs, but is typically a result of an infectious process.

Patients with chronic bronchitis can suffer from acute flare-ups of infection, but determination of the cause of the infection is difficult. Potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as nonencapsulated strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, are frequently cultured from the bronchi of these patients. Because of chronic colonization, it is difficult to incriminate one of these organisms as the specific cause of an acute infection in patients with chronic bronchitis. Although the role of bacteria in acute infections in these patients is questionable, viruses are frequent causes.

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

في ذكرى ولادة الإمام المهدي (عجّل الله فرجه).. قسم الشؤون الفكرية يصدر عددًا خاصًّا من مجلة العقيدة

للاطّلاع على خدماته المقدمة للزائرين مركز السيد جعفر الحلي يستقبل المدير العام لمديرية العمليات والخدمات الطبية في وزارة الصحة

قسم الشؤون الفكرية يعلن استفادة 2000 زائر من محطته الثقافية المهدوية

قسم التطوير يحتفي بذكرى ولادة الإمام المهدي (عجّل الله فرجه الشريف)

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

دراسة تكشف "سر الوسادة".. ودورها في حماية البصر

بالأشعة تحت الحمراء.. "ثورة علمية" في علاج اللاعبين

مشروب أحمر يخفض ضغط الدم "بشكل ملحوظ"

الصحة العالمية تكشف حقيقة انتشار فيروس نيباه خارج الهند

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

دراسة تدفعك لشراء ساعة ذكية "فورا".. هذا ما تقوله عن قلبك

علماء حاصلون على "نوبل": الذكاء الاصطناعي لن يستبدل الإنسان

وانغ هو: القمة العالمية للعلماء تجسد تقدير الإمارات للعلم

رئيس رابطة كبار العلماء يعلن تأسيس مقر في الإمارات

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

Pneumonia

Pathogenesis of the respiratory tract: Microorganism Factors

Pathogenesis of the respiratory tract: Host Factors

Clinical Manifestations of Bloodstream Infections

Definition of Sepsis

Types of Bloodstream Infections

Frontotemporal and Vascular Dementias

Alzheimer’s Disease

Human Prion Diseases

Diabetes treatments

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Gestational Diabetes