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Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients require regular airway clearance therapy (ACT). The aim of this study was to evaluate homecare therapeutic effects of a new ACT (Simeox®) added to the optimal standard of care, including home chest physiotherapy, in the treatment of clinically stable children. Methods: Forty pediatric CF patients (8–17 years old) with stable disease were randomized 1:1 in a single-center, prospective, open-label, cross-over trial into two groups: with or without Simeox®. Lung function (impulse oscillometry, spirometry, body plethysmography, multi-breath nitrogen washout) results, health-related quality of life, and safety were assessed during the study after 1 month of therapy at home. Results: A significant decrease in proximal airway obstruction (as supported by improvement in airway resistance at 20 Hz (R20Hz) and maximum expiratory flow at 75% of FVC (MEF75)) compared to the control group was observed after 1 month of therapy with the device. Lung-clearance index was stable in the study group, while it worsened in the control group. In addition, the device group demonstrated a significant increase in the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire—Revised (CFQ-R) physical score. No side effects were identified during the study. Conclusions: Simeox® may improve drainage of the airways in children with clinically stable CF and could be an option in chronic treatment of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chest physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing cystic fibrosis, especially during pulmonary exacerbations. This study evaluated the effects of adding a new airway clearance device to chest physiotherapy in subjects with cystic fibrosis hospitalised due to pulmonary exacerbations., Methods: This prospective open-label study was carried out at the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Centre in Poland between October 2017 and August 2018. Cystic fibrosis patients aged 10 to 18 years who were admitted to the hospital and required intravenous antibiotic therapy due to pulmonary exacerbations were consecutively allocated (1:1) to either chest physiotherapy alone or chest physiotherapy with a new airway clearance device (Simeox; PhysioAssist). Patients performed spirometry and multiple-breath nitrogen washout for lung clearance index assessment upon admission and prior to discharge., Results: Forty-eight cystic fibrosis patients were included (24 in each group). Spirometry parameters in both groups improved significantly after intravenous antibiotic therapy. A significant improvement in the maximum expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity was observed only in the group with a new airway clearance device (p < 0.01 vs. baseline). Trends towards a lower lung clearance index ratio were similar in both groups. No adverse events were observed in either group., Conclusions: Spirometry parameters increased significantly in cystic fibrosis patients treated for pulmonary exacerbations with intravenous antibiotic therapy and intensive chest physiotherapy. The new airway clearance device was safe and well tolerated when added to chest physiotherapy and may be another option for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis., (© 2020 Katarzyna Walicka-Serzysko et al., published by Sciendo.)

Most of the publications report cases of Legionella infection among adults. In our studies the level of IgM to Legionella pneumophila sg 1 was determined by ELISA method in serum samples of 144 children with symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Children were from 5 months to 18 years old. The significant level of IgM was found in 41 sera collected from 34 children aged 2 years and above. There were samples collected from 21 girls and 13 boys. The highest percentage of significant level of IgM was found in the age group 4-10 years (31.8%) and 10-14 years (31.7%). Among the youngest children (below 2 years) the equivocal results were found in 6 samples. The significant difference in IgM level was found between the children age groups. There was not found the significant differences in IgM level depending on gender. Obtained results indicated the importance of such kind of studies and necessity of adjusting cut-off values to age groups of children.