[Management of adult bronchiectasis - Consensus-based Guidelines for the German Respiratory Society (DGP) e. V. (AWMF registration number 020-030)].

Bronchiectasis is an etiologically heterogeneous, chronic, and often progressive respiratory disease characterized by irreversible bronchial dilation. It is frequently associated with significant symptom burden, multiple complications, and reduced quality of life. For several years, there has been a marked global increase in the prevalence of bronchiectasis, which is linked to a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems.

Screening for rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease-a Delphi-based consensus statement.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a major driver of premature mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Detection of RA-ILD is crucial but requires awareness among the treating physicians. To date, however, there is no international recommendation concerning screening for ILD in RA patients.

EQUAL CPA Score 2022: a tool to measure guideline adherence for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) can complicate underlying pulmonary diseases, and clinical management of CPA is challenging. Guidelines support clinicians but due to the complexity of the disease they can be difficult to adhere to.

Objectives: To map current guideline recommendations for the clinical management of CPA into a scoring tool to facilitate and quantify guideline adherence in clinical practice.

[National consensus statement by the Austrian Societies for Rheumatology, Pulmonology, Infectiology, Dermatology and Gastroenterology regarding the management of latent tuberculosis and the associated utilization of biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDS (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs)].

This nationwide Austrian consensus statement summarizes the recommendations on the management of latent tuberculosis by treatment with biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs. The essential questions with respect to screening and preventive treatment were discussed by experts from the disciplines of rheumatology, pneumology, infectious diseases, dermatology and gastroenterology, based on the available data, and then a joint consensus was formed by agreement. This involved a differentiated discussion on the various forms of treatment, and clear recommendations were formulated.

National consensus statement by the Austrian Societies for Rheumatology, Pulmonology, Infectiology, Dermatology and Gastroenterology regarding the management of latent tuberculosis and the associated utilization of biologic and targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

This publication provides a thorough analysis of the most relevant topics concerning the management of latent tuberculosis when using biologic and targeted synthetic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) by a multidisciplinary, select committee of Austrian physicians. The committee includes members of the Austrian Societies for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Pulmonology, Infectiology, Dermatology and Gastroenterology. Consensus was reached on issues regarding screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis and includes separate recommendations for each biologic and targeted synthetic DMARD.

Management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections with focus on patients with chronic lung diseases (as of 10 January 2022) : Updated statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP).

The Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP) launched a first statement on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in May 2020, at a time when in Austria 285 people had died from this disease and vaccinations were not available. Lockdown and social distancing were the only available measures to prevent more infections and the breakdown of the health system. Meanwhile, in Austria over 13,000 patients have died in association with a SARS-CoV‑2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was among the most common causes of death; however, SARS-CoV‑2 has been mutating all the time and currently, most patients have been affected by the delta variant where the vaccination is very effective but the omicron variant is rapidly rising and becoming predominant.

Clinical relevance of lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS: a nationwide study.

Background: Although the number of lung transplantations (LTx) performed worldwide for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still low, there is general agreement that this treatment can save a subgroup of the most severely ill patients with irreversible lung damage. However, the true proportion of patients eligible for LTx, the overall outcome and the impact of LTx on the pandemic are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using a nationwide registry of hospitalised patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection admitted between 1 January 2020 and 30 May 2021 in Austria.

Impact of Smoking Behavior on Survival Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - Smoking Cessation Matters.

Introduction: There are only a few data on the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on the outcome of patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a well-established therapy for hematologic malignancies.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study design we examined the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on survival among 309 eligible consecutive adults who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using reduced-intensity (n = 179) or myeloablative (n = 130) conditioning between 1999 and 2018.

Results: Smoking and was independently associated with increased mortality with a five-year overall survival of 25% in current smokers versus 53% in never smokers versus 48% in past smokers.

The role of health determinants in the influenza vaccination uptake among older adults (65+): a scope review.

Background: Although the burden of influenza infection is the highest in older adults, vaccination coverage remains low, despite this age group being more vulnerable than others.

Aims: Given the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, it was the aim of this scope review to update knowledge on factors affecting seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among older adults to strengthen prevention approaches in the context of an overall burden of infectious diseases.

Methods: We searched bibliographic databases from 2012 to 2019.

Successful treatment of severe interstitial pneumonia by removal of circulating autoantibodies: a case series.

Background: There is only limited clinical data on the benefit of intense immunosuppression in patients with severe interstitial pneumonia associated with autoimmune features or new-onset connective tissue disease.

Case Presentation: We here report a series of three consecutive patients suffering from severe interstitial lung disease necessitating endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. The first two patients fulfilled many diagnostic criteria for new-onset antisynthetase syndrome, the third patient for systemic lupus erythematosus.

[Fatality and risk factors for severe courses of COVID-19 pneumonia].

The severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, the course, fatality and mortality are multifactorial and attributable to the immediate parenchymal damage in the region of the lungs (including pulmonary vessels), pre-existing comorbidities, extrapulmonary complications, secondary infections and the quality of the available medical care. In this respect, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is comparable with other severe community-acquired forms of pneumonia caused by conventional pathogens, even if the pathogenesis is different. The fatality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is approximately 20% (and therefore higher than for other pneumonia pathogens), in intensive care patients 30-40% and in invasively ventilated patients ca.

CPAnet Registry-An International Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis Registry.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a chronic fungal infection of the lung associated with high morbidity and mortality. The CPA Research network (CPAnet) registry established in 2018 is an international multicenter collaboration aiming to improve CPA knowledge and patient care. This study's aim was to describe the data collection process and content of CPAnet registry with preliminary clinical data.

Management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections and of patients with chronic lung diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic (as of 9 May 2020) : Statement of the Austrian Society of Pneumology (ASP).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the healthcare system has so far been prevented. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV‑2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic; however, COVID-19 specific adjustments are useful.

Inhibiting eicosanoid degradation exerts antifibrotic effects in a pulmonary fibrosis mouse model and human tissue.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with high 5-year mortality and few therapeutic options. Prostaglandin (PG) E exhibits antifibrotic properties and is reduced in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with IPF. 15-Prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) is the key enzyme in PGE metabolism under the control of TGF-β and microRNA 218.

Using Interleukin 6 and 8 in Blood and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid to Predict Survival in Hematological Malignancy Patients With Suspected Pulmonary Mold Infection.

Molds and other pathogens induce elevated levels of several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of IL-6 and IL-8 as well as fungal biomarkers in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for overall survival in patients with underlying hematological malignancies and suspected mold infection. This cohort study included 106 prospectively enrolled adult cases undergoing bronchoscopy.

Pulmonary nocardiosis in Western Europe-Clinical evaluation of 43 patients and population-based estimates of hospitalization rates.

Background: Pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening infection. Most of our knowledge on PN is derived from case reports and small case series. Increasing incidence rates of PN have been reported recently.