Bronchiectasis
(Professor Peter Bye / Dr Sandra Anderson)

We are currently examining best practice for infection management in patients with bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. In addition we are testing novel strategies for improving secretion clearance in these patients. Some of these studies are in conjunction with the Australian company, Pharmaxis.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND BRONCHIECTASIS

As part of a major collaboration with the Department of Infectious Diseases at University of Sydney a clonal strain of Ps. Aeruginosa has been described in a number of paediatric and adult cystic fibrosis clinics along the East coast of Australia. It appears that there is patient-to-patient spread of bacteria. Cross sectional and longitudinal studies to determine the clinical significance of this strain are currently being undertaken. This has also evolved into a successful NHMRC project grant Clinical Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis - Bell, Bye, Rose, Harbour, Marks, Robinson (2007, 2008, 2009).

Our group has also shown that the survival of patients with panresistant organisms following transplant is similar to that of patients with sensitive organisms. This information has important implications in the selection of patients for lung transplantation. This group has also submitted a project grant application to examine novel therapeutic strategies for the management of non-CF bronchiectasis. This work is an extension of previous work by Drs Bye and Bell in demonstrating the effectiveness of hypertonic saline and azithromycin in the management of CF.