Sputum inflammometry as a research tool and an aid to clinical phenotyping and asthma/COPD management

Registration

Registration for this seminar is free and it is now open. To register your interest, please complete the online registration form here.

Organisers

Prof. Sven-Erik Dahlèn (SE), Prof. Antonio Spanevello (IT)

Overview

Research into the pathogenic mechanism and clinical monitoring of inflammatory diseases of any system is only complete if it involves the study of both the underlying pathological features and the physiological consequences that result from what are always complex inflammatory processes.

Most of initial observations made in asthma, documenting the involvement of eosinophils, mast cells, and T-cells were made in studies using fibre optic bronchoscopy in conjunction with bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy. However, the invasiveness of these techniques restricted the use of bronchoscopy to a research setting that was available in a very limited number of specialised centres. This has not allowed bronchoscopy to develop into a practical diagnostic tool which would guide the clinician in routine practice.