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Viral and bacterial infections play a crucial role in the worsening of the pulmonary functioning on chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients, thus favoring the progression of the disease. Inflammatory response against lower airways’ viral and bacterial infections could be a specific marker of the progression of the disease. The control of the pulmonary inflammatory response in chronic diseases like COPD could reduce the risk of pulmonary function decline. Aim of this paper is to revise the data about microbiota/host interaction and the alteration of the immune response in stable and exacerbated COPD. The molecular patterns prevalent in these different clinical conditions will be examined as well as the role of the macrophages, of the autophagy and of the NETosis during lung infections in COPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the international guidelines of COPD (GOLD) and asthma (GINA) diagnosis and treatment of both diseases necessitate spirometry in the private practice as well as in hospital setting. However today, spirometry is not sufficiently used in Switzerland. This paper intends to give an easy overview how spirometry is performed and spirometric values can be interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the international guidelines of COPD (GOLD) and asthma (GINA) diagnosis and treatment of both diseases necessitate spirometry in the private practice as well as in hospital setting. However today, spirometry is not sufficiently used in Switzerland. This paper intends to give an easy overview how spirometry is performed and spirometric values can be interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]