[The pH of the exhaled breath condensate: new method for investigation of inflammatory airway diseases].
Collecting exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has become a frequently used method in respiratory researches to date. Through this method we can sample airway surface liquid non-invasively by streaming the exhaled breath through a cooled chamber and after we examine the fluid deposited on the wall of the condenser. The sample contains several mediators, biomarkers. The pH of the condensate is one of the most important markers measured in the EBC. Measuring the pH is easy, cheap and it is in the optimal range, there is no problem with the detection limit. The uncertainty of the pH assays is derived from the instability of the EBC pH which results from the altering carbon-dioxide concentration. Many articles have been published on EBC pH in different airway diseases. Acidification of the condensates has been described in bronchial asthma (especially in acute exacerbations), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Due to the steroid treatment the pH has increased in both cases. In patients with bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and in chronic cough (bronchial asthma, gastro-esophageal reflux, postnasal drip, and unknown origin) the pH of EBC was also lower. Acidification of the airways in different diseases can play a role in the pathomechanism, and its indicator, the EBC pH might help managing patients with airway diseases.
Szili
Balázs
B
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Klinikai Kísérleti Kutató- és Humán Elettani Intézet, Budapest. szilib@gmail.com
Bikov
András
A
Kollai
Márk
M
Horváth
Ildikó
I
D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D001944:Breath Tests; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000378:metabolism; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D045853:Exhalation; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D002245:Carbon Dioxide