The Pathogenesis of Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a condition defined by permanently dilated airways and characterized by chronic cough and sputum and in many patients, recurrent exacerbations. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous condition, with numerous underlying risk factors and initiating conditions. These factors share in common the ability to impair the mechanisms by which the airways are protected from inflammatory or infectious insults. These underlying factors result in chronic bacterial infection of the airways, inciting a host inflammatory response in which the airways are the collateral damage. The damaged airways are unable to clear the infection, leading to ongoing inflammation and progressive damage.