Bronchiectasis: An update

Bronchiectasis produced severe morbidity in patients in the preantibiotic era. Virulent bacterial pulmonary infections, including tuberculosis, caused irreversible lung damage. Secretions pooled in cystic and ectatic airways resulted in repeated episodes of acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Hemoptysis, respiratory impairment, and cor pulmonale were sequelae of the original infection. Effective antibiotics for treatment of respiratory infections have reduced the prevalence of bronchiectasis, but have not eliminated it. New diagnostic techniques and new means to determine the etiology of bronchiectasis may help clinicians to move closer toward elimination of this disease. Suppressive antimicrobial therapy probably is an effective management therapy.