Gino Soldati, Andrea Smargiassi, Alessandro Perrotta, Giovanni Pierro, Roberto Barone, Lorenzo Carriera, Gabriele Labinac, Riccardo Inchingolo
{"title":"An update on the role of ultrasound lung artifacts in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases.","authors":"Gino Soldati, Andrea Smargiassi, Alessandro Perrotta, Giovanni Pierro, Roberto Barone, Lorenzo Carriera, Gabriele Labinac, Riccardo Inchingolo","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2541427","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2541427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lung ultrasound has consolidated over the years its valuable role in supporting routine clinical activity in different settings. Every disease that alters peripheral airspace geometry can generate a superficial structure with low impedance mismatch which can be capable of trapping ultrasound waves within reflective interfaces.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Qualitative approaches to the description of horizontal and vertical acoustic artifacts have been adopted by physicians for a long time with the consequence of poor diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility. Semi-quantitative methods try to fill the gaps in the operator's qualitative assessments. Finally, quantitative approaches aim to overcome the interpretative biases of visual evaluations of the ultrasound image through measures related to the characteristics of the acoustic traps at the level of the pleural line.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Current research on the genesis of vertical artifacts and their contribution to the characterization of respiratory diseases is benefiting from the synergies among physicians, engineers, and physicists. The 'acoustic trap' hypothesis, with its effects on the generation of vertical artifacts resulting from the morphology of the trap itself and transmission imaging parameters, represents one of the fronts of ongoing scientific research on innovative methods for the quantitative characterization of lung parenchyma.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144736360","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":"Breastfeeding, lung development and asthma.","authors":"Sergio Verd","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2546611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2025.2546611","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144818903","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}
Maria Kallieri, Andriana I Papaioannou, Stelios Loukides
{"title":"Mepolizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma.","authors":"Maria Kallieri, Andriana I Papaioannou, Stelios Loukides","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2545571","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2545571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Severe eosinophilic asthma is a distinct asthma phenotype that is characterized by elevated blood eosinophils, frequent exacerbations and dependence on treatment with systemic corticosteroids. The development of Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets Interleukin 5, has significantly transformed the therapeutic approach of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review explores the clinical development, efficacy, effectiveness and safety profile of mepolizumab. It also discusses emerging evidence on mepolizumab's role in achieving clinical remission and modifying airway remodeling. A literature search was conducted using PubMed database for articles published before June 2025, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and mechanistic investigations.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Personalized medicine is an emerging field in treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma with the development of biologic agents. Mepolizumab has shown significant benefits in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (reducing asthma exacerbations, improving quality of life and lung function), while remission has emerged as a treatment goal in some patients. The impact of mepolizumab in airway remodeling suggests its use as a disease modifying therapy not just as a symptom controller.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812808","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}
Elisabeth Bendstrup, Evelyn Lynn, Marissa O'Callaghan
{"title":"Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.","authors":"Elisabeth Bendstrup, Evelyn Lynn, Marissa O'Callaghan","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2538274","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2538274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disorder characterized by the accumulation of surfactant-derived material in the alveolar spaces due to impaired macrophage function. Autoimmune PAP (aPAP) is caused by neutralizing autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and accounts for over 90% of cases. PAP causes respiratory symptoms and, in severe cases, respiratory failure necessitating lung transplantation. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial. This narrative review is based on a PubMed literature search last performed 30 March 2025.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review examines the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PAP. We focus on GM-CSF autoantibody testing and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for diagnosis and treatment modalities including whole lung lavage (WLL) and inhaled GM-CSF therapy. The use of rituximab, plasmapheresis, and lung transplantation for refractory cases is also discussed.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The advent of WLL and GM-CSF has advanced the care of patients with aPAP. However, challenges still remain in managing treatment-resistant cases, and for patients with non-autoimmune forms of PAP where treatment options are more limited. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies, especially for patients who do not respond to first-line treatments. Timely diagnosis and early intervention remain essential for improving patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144796494","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":"Single center experience of laser tracheobronchoplasty and review of the literature.","authors":"Jacob Schwartz, Subroto Paul, Matthew Inra","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2545569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2025.2545569","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Excessive central airway collapse can significantly impact quality of life and put patients at risk of respiratory complications. For patients with moderate or mild symptomatic disease, or those that are not candidates for surgical approaches, limited treatment modalities have been described for management of ECAC. However, case reports support the use of endoscopic approaches, specifically, laser assisted tracheobronchoplasty. Here we present a single center experience of laser-assisted TBP (L-TBP) for the management of ECAC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An IRB approved retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent L-TBP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 16 L-TBP procedures were performed for 6 patients in our institution over the last 6 years. 4 out of the six patients showed improvement in the amount of airway collapse seen on dynamic CT scan or awake bronchoscopy as compared to baseline imaging or bronchoscopy. 5 out of the 6 patients who underwent L-TBP reported subjective improvement in their baseline symptoms of cough or dyspnea. Our data, while small supports the fact that L-TBP may be an alternative effective means of treating ECAC in select patients with subjective improvements in their symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Further prospective trials are needed to validate this method as a means of treated ECAC.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144791036","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}
Cristiana Indolfi, Angela Klain, Michele Miraglia Del Giudice, Maria De Filippo, Alessia Marseglia, Gian Luigi Marseglia, Amelia Licari
{"title":"The use of biologic therapies in pediatric severe asthma.","authors":"Cristiana Indolfi, Angela Klain, Michele Miraglia Del Giudice, Maria De Filippo, Alessia Marseglia, Gian Luigi Marseglia, Amelia Licari","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2535182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2025.2535182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Severe asthma in children is a chronic, heterogeneous condition that significantly impacts quality of life and poses management challenges. The introduction of biological therapies has transformed treatment paradigms, offering targeted interventions for patients with specific phenotypes.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review provides an overview of the current evidence on biologic therapies approved for pediatric severe asthma, including omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab. We discuss their mechanisms of action, pivotal clinical trials, real-world data, and practical considerations for use. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and major conference proceedings up to May 2025. We also examine emerging biologic agents targeting upstream pathways, such as tezepelumab and anti-IL-33 therapies, and explore the concept of asthma remission and its implications for long-term disease trajectories.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Biologics represent a significant advancement in pediatric asthma management, enabling for tailored treatments based on underlying pathophysiology. However, challenges persist in optimizing patient selection, enhancing access, and comprehending long-term outcomes. Future research should focus on early intervention strategies, cost-effectiveness analyses, and the potential for disease-modifying effects in children.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144786249","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}
Anna Moberg, Össur Ingi Emilsson, Sif Hansdottir, Tryggvi Asmundsson, Andrei Malinovschi, Hasse Melbye, Dora Ludviksdottir
{"title":"Lung auscultation - today and tomorrow- a narrative review.","authors":"Anna Moberg, Össur Ingi Emilsson, Sif Hansdottir, Tryggvi Asmundsson, Andrei Malinovschi, Hasse Melbye, Dora Ludviksdottir","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2511223","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2511223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lung auscultation is a fundamental diagnostic tool for respiratory conditions. Despite advancements in medical technology, the analogue stethoscope remains a crucial tool for diagnosing pulmonary diseases. However, traditional auscultation methods have limitations, including variability in sound interpretation and examiner dependency.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review explores the current standards of lung auscultation, highlighting the challenges and limitations of traditional methods. Further, it examines the potential of digital stethoscopes and artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of lung sound analysis. A broad and iterative exploration of the literature was conducted, mainly using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The advent of digital stethoscopes and AI presents a potential for more standardized lung auscultation. Although challenging, these technologies can standardize sound categorization, improve diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate remote consultations. There will be a need for large data sets with high quality sound files and outcome measures, and noise during recording needs to be handled. The integration of digital lung auscultation with telemedicine platforms could significantly improve patient monitoring and care, particularly for those with chronic respiratory conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"879-885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144145109","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":"Eosinophil-targeted treatment strategies for long-term outcomes in severe eosinophilic asthma.","authors":"Giulia Pelaia, Vincenzo Aiello, Caterina Tinello, Emanuela Chiarella, Giovanna Lucia Piazzetta, Nadia Lobello, Mariaimmacolata Preianò, Alessandro Vatrella, Corrado Pelaia","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2506551","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2506551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a key pathobiologic trait of severe asthma, a complex chronic disease which affects about 5-10% of asthmatic patients worldwide. Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of the immunopathologic mechanisms underlying severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) is essential to understand the beneficial effects of currently available, eosinophil-targeted anti-asthma treatments, as well as to develop new therapeutic strategies.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This narrative review article aims to provide a concise coverage of the pathophysiology of severe eosinophilic asthma, followed by an updated overview of current and newly emerging therapeutic approaches capable of counteracting airway eosinophilic inflammation. All information reported comes from an extensive literature search conducted on PubMed.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The recent advances regarding our understanding of the proinflammatory pathways characterizing the various SEA endotypes are allowing to shape effective therapeutic options, driven by the accurate selection of relevant molecular targets. Such successful developments are at the basis of the sustained clinical remission of eosinophilic asthma, which today represents a realistic goal for many severe asthmatic patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"827-842"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059125","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}
Bruno Guedes Baldi, Guilherme das Posses Bridi, Gláucia Itamaro Heiden, João Marcos Salge, Douglas Silva Queiroz, Carlos Roberto Ribeiro Carvalho, Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho
{"title":"Mechanisms of exercise limitation and pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with cystic lung diseases.","authors":"Bruno Guedes Baldi, Guilherme das Posses Bridi, Gláucia Itamaro Heiden, João Marcos Salge, Douglas Silva Queiroz, Carlos Roberto Ribeiro Carvalho, Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2501277","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2501277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The main diffuse cystic lung diseases (DCLD) include lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH), Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Exercise limitation is frequent and secondary to multiple mechanisms in DCLD. Some studies addressed mechanisms for exercise limitation, field tests, and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in DCLD.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review aims to present the main mechanisms that determine exercise limitation, the responses of patients in field tests, and the details regarding the safety and efficacy of PR in DCLD, with emphasis on LAM and PLCH. A search on the issue was performed in the MEDLINE and SciELO databases between 27 November 2024 and 20 February 2025. Manuscripts were reviewed and important topics were included in this review.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Reduced exercise capacity is common and multifactorial, including ventilatory, cardiocirculatory, and peripheral limitations, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and impaired gas exchange in LAM and PLCH. Variables from field tests are correlated with pulmonary function tests, and PR is safe and beneficial in LAM. Further studies are necessary to evaluate exercise in other DCLDs, the impact of other therapeutic modalities on DH, hypoxemia, and exercise-induced PH in LAM and PLCH, and the safety and benefits of PR mostly in PLCH.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"811-825"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144048510","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":"C-reactive protein point-of-care testing to guide antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections.","authors":"Carl Llor","doi":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2510378","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17476348.2025.2510378","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Antimicrobial resistance is strongly correlated with the volume of antibiotics used. Most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care, mostly for respiratory tract infections (RTIs), and are often unneeded.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>The current knowledge regarding the use of C-reactive protein (CRP) rapid testing in primary care is outlined. A comprehensive literature search and narrative review of the evidence on CRP rapid testing for patients presenting with symptoms of RTIs was conducted to develop a holistic perspective on the subject. Relevant studies were identified through a PubMed search up to April 2025.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>CRP testing is an effective, cost-efficient tool to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use for lower RTIs in primary care. This test should be included in guidelines and implemented when a clinician is uncertain about the prognosis of an infection. It should complement history taking and clinical examination before deciding to prescribe antibiotics, primarily to rule out serious infections, but should never be used as a standalone test. To tackle antimicrobial resistance, the reduction of unnecessary antibiotic use in acute RTIs is optimized with clear guidance, advanced communication training for clinicians, and delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies when applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":94007,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of respiratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":"863-877"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121803","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}