PG11 Postgraduate Course: Infection: a player in the natural history of COPD

Postgraduate Course
Chairs: M. Miravitlles (Barcelona, Spain), R. Wilson (London, United Kingdom)
Aims: To discuss the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of COPD and the relevance of bronchial bacterial colonisation in patients with COPD. Bacteria in the airways cause bronchial inflammation and are a risk factor for frequent and severe exacerbations. The appropriate antibiotic treatment of exacerbations of COPD and the possible future role of antibiotics in stable COPD will also be discussed.

HERMES SYLLABUS LINKS: A.1.5 Microbiology, B.1.3 Chronic bronchitis, B.1.4 COPD (chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or emphysema), B.3.2 Lower respiratory tract infections.

TYPE OF COURSE: Case and lecture based

Bacterial colonisation in COPD: friend or foe? E. Monso (Badalona, Spain)
Exacerbations of COPD: role of bacteria and viruses F. Blasi (Milan, Italy)
Exacerbations of COPD: when and how to use antibiotics G. Dimopoulos (Athens, Greece)
Antibiotics for stable COPD: are we there yet? J. Wedzicha (London, United Kingdom)