Dejan Radovanovic, Lisa Milani, Francesca Mandurino Mirizzi, Antonella Forlano, Michele Ghezzi, Marco Morelli, Nicolò Garancini, Andrea Dubini, Alice Munari, Salvatore Zirpoli, Andrea Farolfi, Pierachille Santus
{"title":"The real-life experience of a general pulmonary transition clinic.","authors":"Dejan Radovanovic, Lisa Milani, Francesca Mandurino Mirizzi, Antonella Forlano, Michele Ghezzi, Marco Morelli, Nicolò Garancini, Andrea Dubini, Alice Munari, Salvatore Zirpoli, Andrea Farolfi, Pierachille Santus","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5826/mrm.2025.1038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Paediatric-to-adult transition represents an unmet need in many chronic conditions. Data and -outcomes on pulmonary transition clinics (PTC) are limited. Methods: We report the structure, organization, and patients' characteristics of a multidisciplinary outpatient PTC started in 2022 by two secondary level academic hospitals in Milan, Italy. Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years old) that entered the PTC from January 2022 until January 2023 and completed ≥2 follow-up visits were asked to answer a custom designed, anonymized, online questionnaire to test improvement in disease perception, self-confidence, and evaluate their experience with the clinic. Results: Out of thirty-three patients, twenty-one completed the survey (62% males, median age 19 years). The most common diagnoses included asthma (57%) and bronchiectasis (19%). The disease control rate was optimal, only <2% of visits were unscheduled emergency visits. 100% of patients rated the presence of a dedicated service, a direct relationship with the treating physician and the possibility to improve self-management extremely useful.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our questionnaire revealed that transitioning from caregiver-based disease management to patient-based disease management was perceived as more arduous. PTCs are an impactful resource for patients transitioning to adult care, but our knowledge on disease specific management strategies in transitioning patients remains limited.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Lettieri, Francesca Mariani, Vincenzo Alfredo Marando, Elena Salvaterra, Angelo Guido Corsico, Ilaria Campo
{"title":"The dark side of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.","authors":"Sara Lettieri, Francesca Mariani, Vincenzo Alfredo Marando, Elena Salvaterra, Angelo Guido Corsico, Ilaria Campo","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5826/mrm.2025.1027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) has an unpredictable clinical course. Although usually benign, an association with pulmonary fibrosis is described in literature, with troubling therapeutic and prognostic implications.</p><p><strong>Clinical case: </strong>We report the case of a patient affected by autoimmune PAP who developed pleuro-parenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) after 6 years of disease and underwent bilateral lung transplantation due to end stage respiratory failure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Punctual descriptions of pulmonary fibrosis in PAP are still lacking and no predictors of fibrotic evolution of PAP are known. It is necessary to ensure a strict follow up in order to promptly recognize signs of fibrotic evolution and early refer patients with evolutive disease to lung transplant center. Moreover, an extended genetic analysis by targeted next-generation sequencing could provide high-resolution information that may allow the identification of susceptible patients in a pre-fibrotic stage of disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144676442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karolina Kėvelaitienė, Valerija Edita Davidavičienė, Edvardas Danila
{"title":"Tuberculosis treatment failure: what are the risk factors? A comprehensive literature review.","authors":"Karolina Kėvelaitienė, Valerija Edita Davidavičienė, Edvardas Danila","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5826/mrm.2025.1030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tuberculosis (TB), induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a significant global health concern. It affects approximately 25% of the global population and ranks among the primary causes of mortality from infectious diseases. Notwithstanding progress, TB treatment and diagnosis continue to encounter substantial obstacles, such as restricted access to precise diagnostics and efficacious therapies. By 2035, international objectives seek to diminish tuberculosis-related fatalities by 95% and enhance treatment accessibility. Multiple factors affect the success of TB treatment, including personal behaviors, social and demographic circumstances, and concurrent health conditions. Critical risk factors for suboptimal treatment outcomes encompass low body mass index, tobacco use, substance abuse, and various demographic variables, including gender, age, unemployment, geographic location, and migration status. Co-infections with HIV, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and COVID-19 are associated with increased rates of treatment failure. Supplementary challenges, including loss to follow-up and drug-resistant TB, elevate the probability of treatment failure. This review's findings intend to furnish essential insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and TB control programs, enhancing strategies and interventions. The primary objective is to improve the efficacy of TB management globally, with an emphasis on attaining superior treatment outcomes, particularly in the most underserved regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of the indoor air bacterial load and associated factors in primary schools in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, 2023. A comparative -cross-sectional study.","authors":"Samrawit Mokie Belayneh, Amanuel Ejeso, Asmare Asrat Yirdaw, Amanuel Atamo, Embialle Mengistie Beyene","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1005","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Indoor environments, particularly in schools, are a significant source of bacterial exposure, posing a public health risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial load and associated factors in the indoor environments of governmental and private primary schools in Hawassa, City, Ethiopia, 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comparative cross-sectional study design was used in March, 2023; in 56 randomly selected classrooms focusing in five governmental and five private primary schools in Hawassa, City. The bacterial load was estimated using the settle-plate method of passive air sampling. Differences in the mean bacterial load between government and private primary schools were evaluated using a non-parametric test. Multiple linear regression analysis using log-transformed data was performed.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The average bacterial load in government primary schools was 8684.84 CFU/m3; while in private schools, it was 4396.43 CFU/m3. The isolated bacterial species included coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS), gram-negative Bacillus species, gram-positive Bacillus species, and Staphylococcus aureus. A significant difference in the mean bacterial load (p=0.002) was observed between government and private primary schools with private primary schools showing lower levels. In government schools, the bacterial load was significantly associated with classroom cleanliness, occupant density, cleaning frequency, and classroom area. Conversely, the bacterial load in private schools showed strong association with the occupant density, cleaning frequency, relative humidity, and ventilation conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In government and private primary schools, the level of bacterial loads exceeded the WHO -criteria. This study revealed significant differences in indoor bacterial loads between government and private primary schools, with private schools showing lower levels. The correlation between bacterial load and environmental factors was distinct in each setting. As a recommendation; improving cleanliness, layout optimization, ventilation improvement, and hygiene education for both sectors, with regular air quality monitoring are crucial for tracking progress.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12221387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Héctor Cabrerizo Carreño, Cristina Bellver Asperilla, Ana Maria Romero-Ortiz, Salud Santos, Samantha Aso-González, Jaume Bordas-Martinez, Nuria Fabrellas, Eva Maria Guix-Comellas, Guillermo Suarez-Cuartin, Mariana Muñoz-Esquerre
{"title":"Viability of a new home program of forced spirometry with bronchodilator response measurement in the assessment of patients with asthma.","authors":"Héctor Cabrerizo Carreño, Cristina Bellver Asperilla, Ana Maria Romero-Ortiz, Salud Santos, Samantha Aso-González, Jaume Bordas-Martinez, Nuria Fabrellas, Eva Maria Guix-Comellas, Guillermo Suarez-Cuartin, Mariana Muñoz-Esquerre","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1024","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Home spirometry using portable devices offers a potential alternative for asthma management by reducing hospital dependence and improving accessibility. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a home spirometry program with bronchodilator response (BDR) testing performed without direct medical supervision. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 47 asthma patients from a tertiary hospital. Participants received clear instructions and performed forced spirometry with BDR testing at home using a portable device. The primary outcomes included spirometry quality, variability compared to hospital tests, and patient satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 78% of participants achieved high-quality spirometry (A or B, according to ATS/ERS -criteria), despite greater variability in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) compared to hospital tests. However, the results remained clinically acceptable. Patients reported high satisfaction with the device, highlighting its ease of use and convenience.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Home spirometry with BDR testing is a feasible tool for asthma follow-up, maintaining acceptable quality while reducing hospital-based testing. Although improvements are needed to minimize variability and enhance consistency, this program has the potential to optimize asthma management, increase accessibility, and reduce the burden on healthcare facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12158468/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paolo Formenti, Paolo Carlucci, Dejan Radovanovic, Giovanni Bruno, Gino Soldati, Francesco Tursi
{"title":"Lung re-aeration assessment by ultrasound during mechanical ventilation: Current knowledge of literature review.","authors":"Paolo Formenti, Paolo Carlucci, Dejan Radovanovic, Giovanni Bruno, Gino Soldati, Francesco Tursi","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1029","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung collapse, commonly associated with conditions such as atelectasis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome, significantly impairs gas exchange and respiratory function. Monitoring lung re-aeration is therefore crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, including non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and physiotherapy, which aim to restore lung volume and improve respiratory efficiency. Lung re-aeration involves two key physiological processes such as recruitment and inflation. Both mechanisms improve lung compliance and optimize ventilation-perfusion matching, improving overall respiratory function. LUS has emerged as a promising alternative for assessing lung aeration, supporting its feasibility in detecting and tracking lung re-aeration across various clinical scenarios, and providing real-time insights into lung recruitment and inflation. This review integrates current evidence on the physiological mechanisms of lung collapse and the clinical applications of ultrasound as a tool for monitoring lung re-aeration, highlighting its potential to optimize respiratory management in critically ill patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12158469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144210191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michele Vitacca, Massimiliano Beccaria, Luca Bianchi, Paolo Ceruti, Maurizio Marvisi, Monia Betti, Michela Bezzi, Francesco Tursi
{"title":"From acute phase to rehabilitation: bridging the gap and improving the pathway for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases patients (Summary of a Pulmonologists' Audit - September-December 2024).","authors":"Michele Vitacca, Massimiliano Beccaria, Luca Bianchi, Paolo Ceruti, Maurizio Marvisi, Monia Betti, Michela Bezzi, Francesco Tursi","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1023","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines providing a detailed pathway for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the Italian reality is characterized by underdiagnosis, organizational disharmony, and poor adherence to treatments. COPD entails significant economic and organizational costs, including healthcare expenses, delayed diagnoses, and fragmented management. Therapeutic approaches are often non-standardized and influenced by local practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The audit presented here aims to provide suggestions to optimize COPD patient management, from the acute phase to stabilization, focusing on diagnosis, therapies, respiratory rehabilitation and follow-up, while proposing a coordinated pathway that could optimize patients and healthcare needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight specialists (1 internist and 7 pulmonologists) with extensive professional experience participated in the audit meetings. During three 4-hour sessions spread over three months, participants discussed background information, challenges and suggestions related to disease management. Topics were presented by designated leads, discussed by the group, and summarized into suggestions voted on using a Delphi-like process. Suggestions were approved if at least 75% of participants rated them above seven out of ten. The process produced a final list of shared suggestions. The audit group highlighted that the current management approach for COPD -patients-both in the stable phase and during exacerbations requiring hospital admission, discharge, and post-acute respiratory rehabilitation-remains fragmented, inconsistent, and poorly standardized. The group approved 29 improvement suggestions (21 achieved unanimous approval) across six main areas: a) The pathway for suspected or confirmed COPD patients; b) Therapy during the stable phase; c) Exacerbations/hospitalizations; d) Intensive care admissions requiring tracheostomy; e) Hospital discharge and f) Indications for respiratory rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work offers a unique pulmonologist's point of view and suggestions based on literature, best practices, and field experiences to improve collaboration among stakeholders and provide more effective care for COPD patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12092077/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dejan Radovanovic, Alessandro Zanforlin, Andrea Smargiassi, Sara Cinquini, Riccardo Inchingolo, Francesco Tursi, Gino Soldati, Paolo Carlucci
{"title":"CHEst PHysical Examination integrated with UltraSound - Phase (CHEPHEUS1). A survey of Accademia di Ecografia Toracica (AdET).","authors":"Dejan Radovanovic, Alessandro Zanforlin, Andrea Smargiassi, Sara Cinquini, Riccardo Inchingolo, Francesco Tursi, Gino Soldati, Paolo Carlucci","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1020","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chest physical exam (CPE) is based on the four pillars of classical semiotics. However, CPE's sensitivity and specificity are low, and is affected by operators' skills. The aim of this work was to explore the contribution of chest ultrasound (US) to the traditional CPE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this purpose, a survey was submitted to US users. They were asked to rate the usefulness of classical semiotics and chest US in evaluating each item of CPE pillars. The study was conducted and described according to the STROBE checklist. The study used the freely available online survey cloud-web application (Google Forms, Google Ireland Ltd, Mountain View, CA, USA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed a tendency to prefer chest US to palpation and percussion, suggesting a possible -future approach based on inspection, auscultation and palpatory ultrasound evaluation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of our survey introduce, for the first time, the role of ultrasound as a pillar of physical examination. Our project CHEPHEUS has the aim to study and propose a new way of performing the physical exam in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12092075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ablo Prudence Wachinou, Boubacar Bah, Fatou Ndeye Ngom, Mohammed Soumah, Severin Gossa, Ibrahima Mbaye, Marie Sarr, Carin Ahouada, Sandra Segoun, Mohammed Cisse, Oumou Bah Sow, Boubacar Djelo Diallo, Marcel Djimon Zannou, Dissou Affolabi, Corinne Merle
{"title":"Tuberculosis prevalence and associated factors among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus in three West African countries -(Benin, Guinea, Senegal).","authors":"Ablo Prudence Wachinou, Boubacar Bah, Fatou Ndeye Ngom, Mohammed Soumah, Severin Gossa, Ibrahima Mbaye, Marie Sarr, Carin Ahouada, Sandra Segoun, Mohammed Cisse, Oumou Bah Sow, Boubacar Djelo Diallo, Marcel Djimon Zannou, Dissou Affolabi, Corinne Merle","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1014","DOIUrl":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Data are very scarce on the burden of TB in HIV patients in Sub-saharan African populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and associated factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in three West African countries: Benin, Guinea, and Senegal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living with HIV in three outpatient care centres (one in each country). All HIV-positive patients included in this study were routinely screened for PTB using microscopy, GeneXpert and culture. Participants free of TB were reassessed clinically and biologically six months later. Data were analyzed using R-3.4.3 software. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with PTB.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2859 participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 2820 were screened for TB, 1000 were ARV-naive (35.46%), and 1820 were on ARV prior to screening (64.54%). A total of 127 cases of bacteriologically confirmed PTB (BCPTB) were diagnosed: 117 at baseline and 10 at the 6-month visit. The overall prevalence of BCPTB was 7.90% [95% CI: 6.38-9.75] for ARV-naive participants and 2.64% [95% CI: 1.99-3.48] for participants on ARV at the time of screening. Participants from Guinea were more likely to be diagnosed with TB (OR: 2.95 [95% CI: 1.60-5.45], p=0.001). Underweight HIV-positive patients had higher odds of TB diagnosis (OR: 2.09 [95% CI: 1.40-3.12], p<0.001), while overweight/obesity was associated with lower odds of TB (OR: 0.35 [95% CI: 0.15-0.81], p=0.015). Other factors associated with BCPTB in HIV patients were male sex (OR: 1.81 [95% CI: 1.18-2.77], p=0.007), CD4 count <200/ml (OR: 2.24 [95% CI: 1.15-4.37], p=0.018), and irregular disease follow-up (OR: 2.57 [95% CI: 1.29-5.15], p=0.018).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of TB among people living with HIV is high in Benin, Guinea and Senegal. These results highlight the need to improve TB screening and diagnosis in PLHIV, especially in ARV-naive patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12092076/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Healthcare environments in pulmonary rehabilitation units: Effective -infection control through integration of long-term antimicrobial materials.","authors":"Ke-Yun Chao, Chao-Yu Chen, Wei-Lun Liu, Jyun-Sain Wu, Yu-Tzu Huang","doi":"10.5826/mrm.2025.1018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5826/mrm.2025.1018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective infection control in pulmonary rehabilitation units is essential but remains insufficiently studied. This study investigated bacterial contamination, the distribution of species, and the effectiveness of antimicrobial strategies in a pulmonary rehabilitation center.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Surface swab sampling and ZnO-based antimicrobial strategies were employed to assess bacterial contamination in a pulmonary rehabilitation center. The swab samples were cultured, and species were identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bacterial contamination on six key sampling surfaces was initially high (over 500 CFUs/100 cm2) but was significantly reduced after the application of ZnO tape to these surfaces. The antibacterial rates exceeded 80% after one week of using ZnO tape and nanoparticle suspension; however, on some surfaces, the effectiveness declined even after three weeks. These findings suggest that antibacterial protection should be renewed weekly to maintain its efficacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The application of ZnO tape and nanoparticle solution effectively reduced bacterial contamination in a pulmonary rehabilitation center, underscoring the need for regular disinfection and innovative infection control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":51135,"journal":{"name":"Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine","volume":"20 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12047847/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144039773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}