Acute Pulmonary Exacerbation Phenotypes in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Suzanne C. Carter, Alessandro N. Franciosi, Kate M. O'Shea, Orla M. O'Carroll, Ashutosh Sharma, Aoife Bell, Brian Keogan, Paul O'Reilly, Suzie Coughlan, Sheonagh M. Law, Robert D. Gray, Katherine B. Hisert, Pradeep K. Singh, Gordon Cooke, Brenda Grogan, Cillian F. De Gascun, Charles G. Gallagher, Trevor T. Nicholson, Bradley S. Quon, Edward F. McKone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Rationale: The etiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) is likely multifactorial with viral, bacterial, and non-infectious pathways contributing. Objectives: To determine whether viral infection status and CRP (C-reactive protein) can classify subphenotypes of PEx that differ in outcomes and biomarker profiles. Methods: Patients were recruited at time of admission for a PEx. Nasal swabs and sputum samples were collected and processed using the respiratory panel of the FilmArray multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum and plasma biomarkers were measured. PEx were classified using serum CRP and viral PCR: "pauci-inflammatory" if CRP < 5 mg/L, "non-viral with systemic inflammation" if CRP ⩾ 5 mg/L and no viral infection detected by PCR and "viral with systemic inflammation" if CRP ⩾ 5 mg/L and viral infection detected by PCR. Results: Discovery cohort (n = 59) subphenotype frequencies were 1) pauci-inflammatory (37%); 2) non-viral with systemic inflammation (41%); and 3) viral with systemic inflammation (22%). Immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, interleukin-10, interleukin-13, serum calprotectin, and CRP levels differed across phenotypes. Reduction from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second as percent predicted (FEV1pp) at onset of exacerbation differed between non-viral with systemic inflammation and viral with systemic inflammation (-6.73 ± 1.78 vs. -13.5 ± 2.32%; P = 0.025). Non-viral with systemic inflammation PEx had a trend toward longer duration of intravenous antibiotics versus pauci-inflammation (18.1 ± 1.17 vs. 14.8 ± 1.19 days, P = 0.057). There were no differences in percent with lung function recovery to <10% of baseline FEV1pp. Similar results were seen in local and external validation cohorts comparing a pauci-inflammatory to viral/non-viral inflammatory exacerbation phenotypes. Conclusions: Subphenotypes of CF PEx exist with differences in biomarker profile, clinical presentation, and outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1818-1826
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society
Volume19
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • cystic fibrosis
  • exacerbation
  • pauci-inflammatory
  • phenotype
  • viral infection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Acute Pulmonary Exacerbation Phenotypes in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this