title: A multidimensional approach to the management of severe asthma: Inflammometry, molecular microbiology and bronchial thermoplasty.
abstract: The authors illustrate the merits of identifying the components of diseases (eg, bronchitis and airway hyper-responsiveness) that contribute to exacerbations in the management of a patient with severe asthma. Quantitative cell counts in sputum identified a neutrophilic – as opposed to eosinophilic – bronchitis that enabled a stepwise weaning of prednisone. Molecular microbiology and extended culture methods identified anaerobes and other airway microbiome that helped to guide the use of antibiotics. Further control of asthma was achieved by performing bronchial thermoplasty.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kjarsgaard
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Surette
authors.forename: P Gerard
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Parameswaran
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D011241:Prednisone