3rd World Bronchiectasis Conference.

Abstract

The 3rd World Bronchiectasis Conference was held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on July 12-14, 2018. The meeting brought together the expertise of the U.S. Bronchiectasis Research Registry and the European Bronchiectasis Registry principal investigators, as well as experts from Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This program benefited the entire health care team who care for patients with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections (NTM) including pulmonologists, infectious disease physicians, pharmacists, nurses and respiratory care practitioners. This gathering of the international community of participants highlighted an authentic world bronchiectasis conference as an extension of the previous 2 World Bronchiectasis Conferences in Milan, Italy in 2017 and Hannover, Germany in 2016. The burgeoning amount of research interest, much needed development of clinical trials, and support of international collaborative work attests to progress made in the past several years awakening the new age of research and clinical work involving bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. With nearly 300 attendees, the conference was a focused, cutting-edge gathering of the world’s experts on bronchiectasis and NTM. Original work spanning basic science to clinical investigations were featured during the conference presentations as well as abstracts included in this publication. Highlights included recent advances in research on disease mechanisms in bronchiectasis, including new understandings on the role of inflammation, infection and the microbiome. Clinical topics included sessions on the diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis and NTM infections, including small group, case-based presentations specifically aimed at understanding the role of airway clearance, anti-inflammatory treatments and antibiotics. On Saturday morning, July 14th, the program focused on the management of patients with NTM lung infections. This session was well attended by pulmonologists and infectious disease practitioners who treat patients with these challenging infections. Saturday afternoon offered a halfday workshop solely focused on patients, with educational presentations featuring ways to manage their condition and learn more about bronchiectasis and NTM infections. Much appreciation is given collectively to the large number of patients, staff, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners involved in making this conference possible. Without the generous time, effort, and support provided, progress towards advancing the science and actively addressing the current gap in knowledge would not be possible. As a result of the 3rd World Bronchiectasis Conference we can look forward optimistically to the opportunities at hand for continuing this international enthusiasm and scientific inquiry, and, most importantly, positively impacting the lives of patients with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease. NOTE: The following abstracts have NOT been copyedited but are presented here in their original format, as presented by the authors at the 3rd World Bronchiectasis Conference July 12-14, 2018.