Archive for pulmonology
Real-time genomic surveillance of bacteria could improve antibiotic therapy
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are increasingly hard to treat, causing more than a million deaths annually around the world. Hospitalized patients with pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, or abdominal infections are especially at risk. Like a game of Whac-A-Mole, bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance mutations within days of starting an antibiotic, only to be replaced ... Read More about Real-time genomic surveillance of bacteria could improve antibiotic therapy
A respiratory model of COVID-19, made from patients’ own cells
What happens in our respiratory tract once COVID-19 invades? A three-dimensional airway model, made from patient-derived stem cells, could provide answers about the initial stages of infection. The model not only replicates the infection process, but can be used to test potential antiviral drugs. Ruby Wang, MD, attending physician in Boston Children’s Division of Pulmonary ... Read More about A respiratory model of COVID-19, made from patients’ own cells
Pleuropulmonary blastoma: Caring for Cal
Each time the UPS truck makes its way up Becky Baker’s driveway in Lyons, New York, her 3-year-old grandson, Cal, is certain there’s a package for him. Today, the delivery is in fact for Cal — but not exactly the drivable mini Jeep he was hoping for. “Those are your diapers, buddy,” his grandmother says, ... Read More about Pleuropulmonary blastoma: Caring for Cal
SMART: A new approach to asthma management
Until recently, the typical approach to asthma involved two inhalers. In its first update since 2007, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program now recommends the use of Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) for selected patients. Rather than an inhaled corticosteroid for daily maintenance and an inhaled bronchodilator for exacerbations, SMART uses the same ... Read More about SMART: A new approach to asthma management
How do patients with cystic fibrosis respond to COVID-19? An ‘airway in a dish’ may give answers
So far, based on clinical data, patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) don’t appear to be especially susceptible to COVID-19. And when they do get infected, they don’t seem to get sicker. But Ruobing (Ruby) Wang, MD, who cares for patients with CF in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, thinks there is ... Read More about How do patients with cystic fibrosis respond to COVID-19? An ‘airway in a dish’ may give answers
Getting COVID-19 vaccines to medically fragile children
As COVID-19 vaccines slowly roll out, should children who need complex care or have serious medical conditions be vaccinated? We asked experts around Boston Children’s Hospital, and their resounding answer is: Yes, if they are age 16 or older. Boston Children’s is actively planning to make vaccination happen for as many patients as possible, as ... Read More about Getting COVID-19 vaccines to medically fragile children
COVID-19 and vaping: Do you know myth from fact?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, researchers continue to learn more about what puts people at risk for getting sick and who is most likely to have a severe form of the illness. One of the many questions has been about vaping and COVID-19 risk. For answers, we turned to Dr. Sharon Levy, director of the Adolescent ... Read More about COVID-19 and vaping: Do you know myth from fact?
Lung ‘organoids’ capture early-stage lung cancer; could help test treatments
Lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in the U.S., is often missed in its earlier stages. And while recent imaging advances offer earlier detection, early-stage lung cancers still have no targeted treatments. Key takeaways Mini “organoids” made from lung cells offer a rapid platform for tracking early-stage lung cancers and for testing possible treatments. RNA ... Read More about Lung ‘organoids’ capture early-stage lung cancer; could help test treatments
Trial tests dornase alfa, a cystic fibrosis drug, for severe COVID pneumonia
Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital will soon begin testing an existing drug, dornase alfa, in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. The randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to enroll 60 adults and children over age 3 who require mechanical ventilation. Key takeaways:· A randomized trial is testing whether a cystic ... Read More about Trial tests dornase alfa, a cystic fibrosis drug, for severe COVID pneumonia
How the new coronavirus gets into respiratory tissue — and may exploit one of our defenses
What makes SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, such a threat? A new study, led by Jose Ordovas-Montanes, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital and Alex K. Shalek, PhD, at MIT, pinpoints the likely cell types the virus infects. Unexpectedly, it also shows that one of the body’s main defenses against viral infections may actually help the ... Read More about How the new coronavirus gets into respiratory tissue — and may exploit one of our defenses