Non-cystic fibrosis related bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disorder of increasing importance. This disease is caused by cycles of infection and inflammation in the lung, resulting in tissue fibrosis, poor gas-exchange, and reduced lung capacity. Bronchiectasis occurs in about 600,000 people worldwide, with 110,000 of those patients in the US receive treatments every year¹. Exacerbation and hospitalization occurs about five times per year for each bronchiectatic patient, resulting in >$0.5bn healthcare burden annually in the US.

Haemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus, P. aeruginosa are major pathogens associated with disease progression and acute exacerbations in these patients. P. aeruginosa bateria has been associated with increased disease severity², which are amenable to treatment with both Aerucin^TM and Panaecin^TM.

¹Bilton et al., Chest 2006; 130:1503–1510. ² Wilson et al., Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 1754–1760

 

 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases are a group of lung diseases characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. COPD includes diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchiectasis.

COPD is a leading cause of illness, disability, and death in the US, where in 2005 up to 24 million adults are either diagnosed or exhibited signs of COPD, leading to 119,000 deaths. Acute exacerbations in COPD patients account for over 1.5 million emergency room visits annually, contributing to over $43 billion in medical care costs in the US in 2007.

Gram negatives are significant pathogens associated with COPD patients undergoing execerbation episodes. In a recent study*, up to 31% of the execerbation patients are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are amenable to treatment with both Aerucin^TM and Panaecin^TM.

 

*Murphy, et al. 2008 Am. J. Resp. & Crit. Care Med. 177:853-860