title: A critical look at mucus markers.
abstract: Methods of collecting tracheobronchial secretions in conditions such as chronic bronchitis are reviewed. The virtual absence of such secretions in healthy lungs means that there is no normal baseline for comparison. In addition, the inaccuracy of most of the methods does not allow good quantitation of secretory output. A large number of physical and chemical analyses of secretions in many airways diseases does not point to any variables which are specific for the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. This may be in part due to the contamination of glandular secretion by epithelial secretion, transudation and cellular debris. However, studies on mucus may be of value in following the course of disease and its response in therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, England.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Widdicombe
mesh_terms: D001991:Bronchitis / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009093:Mucus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D013048:Specimen Handling