Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious problem for global health. Infectious agents play a main role in the development of COPD exacerbations. Bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract is common in patients with stable COPD. The role of microbiota and host immune response to potential pathogens is not well studied. Microbiota composition disorders in respiratory tract are found in patients with COPD and associated with maladaptive changes in the immune system of the lungs and increased level of inflammation. This review investigates role of microbiota in the pathogenesis of COPD and its impact on the course of the disease. Some important issues such as pneumococcal vaccination and antimicrobial resistance of respiratory pathogens are also discussed.

Currently there is no convincing evidence concerning pathogenetic mechanisms of fibrous and sclerotic processes in pulmonary tissue as well as processes of bronchopulmonary system remodeling in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of occupation etiology (OE).The purpose of the study was to identify relationship between the serum hyaluronic acid (HA) level and severity of obstructive pulmonary ventilation impairment according to spirometry data in subjects with COPD associated with the impact of silica-containing dust and chronic occupational non-obstructive (common) bronchitis (CONB) of occupational etiology.Materials and Methods. Patients (n = 153) with the diagnosis OE COPD (n = 92), OE CONB (n = 36) and healthy subjects participated in the study.Results. The study data demonstrated that serum HA level in patients with OE COPD and CONB was 3–5 times higher than that in healthy subjects (p = 0.0001). In patients with OE COPD HA concentration was significantly higher, than that in subjects with OE CONB (p = 0.039). Negative correlation between HA concentration and forced expiratory volume in 1 second value was observed (p = 0.006; R = –0.31). There was statistically significant positive correlation between HA level and disease duration (р = 0.021; R = 0.21).Conclusion. Serum HA level in patients with OE-related COPD and CONB may be used as a biomarker of fibrous and sclerotic process in pulmonary tissue, reflecting progression of obstruction and remodeling of small bronchi.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressing disease. Each exacerbation impairs the patient’s prognosis and increases burden for the healthcare system. The most common maintenance treatment options for COPD include long-acting bronchodilators – β2-agonists (LABA) and long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMA), and inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS), in fixed/opened double and triple combinations. Triple therapy in subjects with exacerbation history is the most effective way to prevent negative outcomes of the disease. It can reduce the frequency of exacerbations, slow down the disease progression, improve quality of life, and reduce mortality in the long run. On the other hand, the response to triple therapy may change over the time depending on airways inflammation level, infection activity, and exacerbation frequency. Current COPD guidelines propose different indications for therapy escalation and de-escalation (ICS addition/withdrawal) for more personalized and safe treatment. At the same time, many practical issues of this process are still unclear, e.g. how often treatment regimens should be reviewed and what escalation/de-escalation criteria should be prioritized. The authors strongly believe that COPD therapy should adapt a holistic treatment approach (continuum) with quick responses to any changes in the patient’s condition.The aim of our work was to create an algorithm for ICS administration/ withdrawal for COPD patients on long-acting dual bronchodilators maintenance therapy and to establish a therapeutic continuum that takes into account exacerbation history, symptoms severity, blood eosinophilia level, and concomitant asthma.Conclusion. This instrument can be a useful and convenient tool for long-term patient management when access to specialized medical care might be restricted. It takes into account the main current recommendations for COPD management and is easy to apply in real clinical practice.

The specific features of the course of chronic occupational bronchitis (OCB) and its relationships with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OCOPD) have not been adequately investigated in the clinic of occupational pathology. The aim of the study was to study risk factors, clinical features and prognosis of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis. 222 patients (metal workers) with OCB and OCOPD were randomly selected for the study. The medical histories of diseases were studied from the initial diagnosis to the present status (in average the period of 10 years).Patients were divided into three groups: with the initial diagnosis of OCOPD (1), with the initial diagnosis of OCB, but transformed to OCOPD (2) and the patients with the initial diagnosis of OCB (3). Patients were divided into three groups: those initially diagnosed with COPD PE made up group No. 1, those initially diagnosed with CKD PE who did not show signs of COPD PE during the annual examination made up group No. 2, and those initially diagnosed with CKD PE who showed signs of COPD PE during the dynamic examination made up group No. 3. All groups showed a decrease in spirometry parameters. FEV1 was statistically significantly decreased by 12% in group 1, by 13% in the second group and by 27% in the third group. When analyzing modified Typhno index (MTI) values in group 3, there was a statistically significant decrease in MTI from baseline by 21% (p=0.002, Z = 2.9, Wilcoxon test). In 52 people out of 156 (or 34.6%) with the initial diagnosis of OCB, a manifestation of OCOPD occurred during the observation period. Two phenotypes of chronic bronchitis were distinguished: with favorable and unfavorable prognoses. Patients with OCB, after establishing a professional diagnosis, should be recommended to rational employment out of exposure to industrial aerosols, due to the high risk of disease progression.Funding. The study had no funding.Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.