Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease (referred to as chronic wet cough) contribute to a high burden of respiratory disease in Indigenous children worldwide. Chronic wet cough is common among Indigenous children; it is always associated with airway secretions and is a major symptom of chronic suppurative lung disease.

The risk factors associated with progression from chronic cough to bronchiectasis and its clinical course are unknown in this population.

QIMR in conjunction with the Menzies School of Health Research, Flinders University, Nganampa Health Council, the Prince Alfred Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital, and the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (CRCAH) is conducting research into bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease within Australia’s Indigenous population. This research is part of a multicentre bronchiectasis study in which Indigenous children in Alaska and New Zealand are also being observed.

Our research focuses on:

• Identifying the factors associated with disease
  
• Evaluating azithromycin in the prevention of lung infections (randomised controlled trial)
• Describing the impact of azithromycin use on antibiotic resistance and nasopharyngeal colonisation

Research groups involved in bronchiectasis research:

Indigenous Health Research