Infection in bronchiectasis

Aisya Natasya Musa
Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

In bronchiectasis, chronic infection is more than just a persistent presence of bacteria—it is a relentless driver of inflammation, progressive lung damage, and worsening symptoms. Unlike acute exacerbations, which come and go, chronic infection quietly shapes the long-term course of the disease. This session will explore how organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus embed themselves in the airways, forming biofilms, evading immune defences, and sustaining a cycle of injury.

We will also delve into how our understanding is changing with the rise of microbiome science. Traditional sputum cultures are giving way to advanced sequencing techniques that reveal a far more complex picture—one where microbial diversity, dominance patterns, and immune interactions define disease severity and progression.

Participants will gain practical insights into identifying and managing chronic infection, including when to consider eradication, how to monitor over time, and what the future may hold with microbiome-targeted therapies. Whether in the clinic or at the bench, understanding chronic infection is essential to changing the trajectory for people living with bronchiectasis.