AUTHOR=Derbyshire Emma J. , Calder Philip C. 

TITLE=Bronchiectasis—Could Immunonutrition Have a Role to Play in Future Management?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.652410

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2021.652410

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition in which areas of the bronchial tubes become permanently widened predisposing the lungs to infection.  Bronchiectasis is an age-associated disease with the highest prevalence in people older than 75 years. While the prevalence of bronchiectasis is higher in males, disease is more severe in females who have a poorer prognosis.  The overall prevalence of the disease is thought to be rising. Its aetiology is multi-faceted, but a compromised immune system is now thought to play a central role in the pathology of this disease.  Research has begun to study the role of malnutrition and certain nutrients – vitamin D and zinc - along with the role of the lung microbiome in relation to the management of bronchiectasis.  Given this, the present mini review sets out to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art within the field, identify research gaps and pave the way for future developments and research investment within this field.