Gastroesophageal reflux as a cause of chronic cough, severe asthma, and migratory pulmonary infiltrates

Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance (MNBI) Provides Evidence for Standardized Management Algorithms of Nonacid Gastroesophageal Reflux-Induced Chronic Cough

BACKGROUND

The clinical management of nonacid gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough (GERC) is challenging, and patient response to standard antireflux therapy (omeprazole 20 mg twice daily plus mosapride 10 mg thrice daily) is suboptimal. This study aimed to identify predictors of standard antireflux therapy efficacy and provide evidence for standardized management algorithms of nonacid GERC.

METHODS

A total of 115 nonacid GERC patients who underwent multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) were enrolled between March 2017 and March 2021. Retrospective analysis of general information and MII-pH indications were used to establish a regression analysis model for multiple factors affecting standard antireflux therapy efficacy.

RESULTS

90 patients met the inclusion criteria, and the overall response rate to standard antireflux therapy was 55.5% (50/90). The mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) (1817.75 ± 259.26 vs. 2369.93 ± 326.35, P = 0.030) and proximal MNBI (1833.39 ± 92.16 vs. 2742.57 ± 204.64, P ≤ 0.001) of responders were lower than those of nonresponders. Weakly acid reflux (56.00 (31.70, 86.00) vs. 14.00 (14.00, 44.20), P = 0.022), nonacid reflux (61.35 (15.90.86.50) vs. 21.60 (0.00, 52.50), P = 0.008), and proximal extent (19.00 (5.04, 24.00) vs. 5.50 (2.56, 11.13), P = 0.011) were markedly higher in responders than nonresponders. Proximal MNBI (OR = 0.997, P = 0.042, and optimal cutoff = 2140 Ω) and weakly acid reflux (OR = 1.051, P = 0.029, and optimal cutoff = 45) were independent predictors of standard antireflux therapy efficacy. The combination predictive value did not show better results than either individual predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal MNBI < 2140 Ω may be used to screen patients with nonacid GERC suitable for standard antireflux therapy and in standardized management algorithms for nonacid GERC. In the absence of MNBI, weakly acid reflux > 45 can be used as an auxiliary indicator.

Identification and treatment of T2-low asthma in the era of biologics

Currently, and based on the development of relevant biologic therapies, T2-high is the most well-defined endotype of asthma. Although much progress has been made in elucidating T2-high inflammation pathways, no specific clinically applicable biomarkers for T2-low asthma have been identified. The therapeutic approach of T2-low asthma is a problem urgently needing resolution, firstly because these patients have poor response to steroids, and secondly because they are not candidates for the newer targeted biologic agents. Thus, there is an unmet need for the identification of biomarkers that can help the diagnosis and endotyping of T2-low asthma. Ongoing investigation is focusing on neutrophilic airway inflammation mediators as therapeutic targets, including interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17, IL-1, IL-6, IL-23 and tumour necrosis factor-α; molecules that target restoration of corticosteroid sensitivity, mainly mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors; phosphodiesterase (PDE)3 inhibitors that act as bronchodilators and PDE4 inhibitors that have an anti-inflammatory effect; and airway smooth muscle mass attenuation therapies, mainly for patients with paucigranulocytic inflammation. This article aims to review the evidence for noneosinophilic inflammation being a target for therapy in asthma; discuss current and potential future therapeutic approaches, such as novel molecules and biologic agents; and assess clinical trials of licensed drugs in the treatment of T2-low asthma.

Natural history of Mycobacterium fortuitum pulmonary infection presenting with migratory infiltrates: a case report with microbiological analysis

Background

Presence of Mycobacterium fortuitum in respiratory tracts usually indicates mere colonization or transient infection, whereas true pulmonary infection occurs in patients with gastroesophageal disease. However, little is known about the diagnostic indications for true M. fortuitum pulmonary infection and the natural history of the disease.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment against M. fortuitum pulmonary infection. Fifteen years before the referral, he underwent total gastrectomy, after which he experienced esophageal reflux symptoms. After the referral, the patient was closely monitored without antimicrobial therapy because of mild symptoms and no pathological evidence of M. fortuitum pulmonary infection. During the observation, chest imaging showed migratory infiltrates. Two years after the referral, his lung biopsy specimen revealed foamy macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, indicating lipoid pneumonia. However, he was continually monitored without any treatment because there was no evidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Four years after the referral, he developed refractory pneumonia despite receiving adequate antibiotic therapy. After confirmation of granulomatous lesions, multiple antimicrobial therapy for M. fortuitum resulted in a remarkable improvement with no exacerbation for over 5 years. Random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed identical M. fortuitum strains in seven isolates from six sputum and one intestinal fluid specimens obtained during the course of the disease.

Conclusions

We have described a patient with M. fortuitum pulmonary infection who presented with migratory infiltrates. The pathological evidence and microbiological analysis suggested that M. fortuitum pulmonary infection was associated with lipoid pneumonia and chronic exposure to gastrointestinal fluid. Therefore, physicians should carefully monitor patients with M. fortuitum detected from lower respiratory tract specimens and consider antimicrobial therapy for M. fortuitum infection when the patient does not respond to adequate antibiotic therapy against common pneumonia pathogens.

Considerations in difficult-to-control asthma

BACKGROUND

Difficult-to-control asthma includes those patients who require treatment with high-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroid (ICS) plus a second controller and/or systemic glucocorticosteroids to manage. The exact percentage of "difficult to treat," "refractory," "severe," or "brittle" asthma is 3% to 10% of all asthmatic patients, but this group of asthmatics use the majority of resources for the entire asthmatic population.

METHODS

Medline searches for the terms "difficult to control," "severe," "refractory," "brittle," and asthma were done and the results were reviewed.

RESULTS

Patterns for difficult-to-control asthma emerge from concepts of compliance, comorbidity, and endotypes, which give the practitioner pathways for analyzing this subset of asthma patients.

CONCLUSION

The ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician can be of significant help to other asthma specialists in the recognition of the difficult-to-control asthmatic, as well as providing specific specialized diagnostic skills and the reinforcement of adherence to medical regimens.