Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is characterized by an inflammatory response to inhaled fumes such as tobacco smoke leading to shortness of breath, limited airflow, and loss of lung function is one of the five leading causes of death worldwide.

An inhaled steroid, Fluticasone propionate, could possibly reduce the ability of major pathogens to invade the respiratory epithelium, according to a study by Sebastian Albertí (Institut Universitari d’Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma de Mallorca, Spain) and colleagues.

From Medicalnewstoday.com:

Patients affected by COPD often suffer episodes of worsening of symptoms called acute exacerbations, mostly caused by bacterial infections. These episodes of exacerbation impact negatively on the health status of the patients, worsen their prognosis and are associated with a very significant social and economic cost.

Treatment with inhaled steroids, such as fluticasone propionate, reduces the frequency and severity of acute exacerbations in patients with COPD, but their role in controlling bacterial infection is controversial.

In healthy subjects the lung is sterile, but in patients with COPD it is not and bacteria like S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae is frequently isolated.

The study findings are considered to have critical implications for worldwide physicians for treating patients with COPD.

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