Research

The Respiratory Physiology Laboratory is equipped with Spirometers (Vitalograph), a Nitrogen Multiple Breath Washout System (Ecomedics EXHALYZER D), a pulse oximeter, the ENLIGHT 2100 Electrical Impedance Tomography (Innoventiv, Switzerland) one non-portable (Ecomedics CLD 88sp) and a number of portable (NIOX VERO) devices for the measurement of exhaled bronchial and nasal NO, 24-hour oesophageal High Resolution Manometry and pH monitoring system (MMS-Ohmega). Also, the laboratory has access to a ZEISS AxioPhot microscope with a Linkam DC-60 heating plate and a High Speed Video microscopy system (SAVA system, Basler scA640).

Through its collaboration with the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Embryology, the laboratory has access to Air Liquid Interface (ALI) respiratory epithelial cell cultures (using a Memmert ICO 150 CO2 incubator) that allows for a better characterisation of cilia motility. Finally, through its collaboration with the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, there is access to a TALOS L120C Transmission Electron Microscope for the study of cilia ultrastructure.

The research objectives of the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory include:

 

  1. The development of innovative research in the fields of diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of the respiratory diseases as well as in environmental and public health.
  2. The study of the diagnostic approach of chronic and inherited respiratory diseases, such as: Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.
  3. The conduction of research programs in environmental and public health with emphasis in epidemiology of Asthma along with comorbidities like obesity and Vitamin D deficiency and the tackling of the health effects due to the desert dust storm episodes.
  4. The participation in international studies for respiratory diseases and for environmental and public health and the collaboration with other academic and research institutes in Cyprus and abroad.

Diagnostic Service

The Archbishop Makarios III hospital is the national tertiary referral center for pediatric patients. The Pediatric Pulmonology clinic of Archbishop Makarios III hospital along with the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory of the University of Cyprus Medical School and the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics serves as the national referral center for adults and pediatric patients suspected for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) which is also an accredited ERN center.

 

Nasal Nitric Oxide Measurement

Upon referral, patients are informed by the clinician regarding the necessary diagnostic procedures required for confirmation of a PCD diagnosis and a detailed medical history is obtained. Following, clinical examination and exclusion of other more probable diagnoses, the suspect patient undergoes PCD diagnostic testing which involves measurement of nasal nitric oxide measurements followed by nasal brushing. Tissue collected through nasal brushing is send to the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory for ciliary motility assessment (High Speed Video Microscopy – HSVM) and to CING) for ciliary ultrastructural assessment (Transmission Electron Microscopy – TEM) and. In addition, a blood sample is collected by the nursing personnel of the pediatric pulmonology clinic which is also send to CING for genetic testing.

PCD diagnostic testing usually requires 3-4 weeks to be completed. In case of borderline diagnostic test results, repeat nasal brushing may be required and in case of repeatedly ambiguous results on ciliary motility or ultrastructural assessment, a collaboration pathway with other diagnostic centers from abroad is in place and second opinion is often sought.

Treatment / Clinical Management

Children and adults diagnosed with PCD depending on severity of clinical manifestations, are followed up at intervals of 1-6 months by the Pediatric pulmonology clinic of Makarios III hospital. Clinical management involves clinical evaluation/examination, assessment of lung function and exacerbation status as well as assessment of sputum microbiology. Patients are always referred to the physiotherapy department for respiratory physiotherapy evaluation. Patients are trained to implement appropriate physiotherapy techniques at home for daily mucus clearance as a maintenance measure of their respiratory wellbeing and reduction of treatment burden. The implemented physiotherapy techniques by the patients are reviewed at least annually by the physiotherapist. Acute exacerbations are treated with antibiotics (either oral or IV) according to sputum microbiology results, intensification of chest physiotherapy and if needed with inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids.

Bronchiectasis

TEM picture 3

Patients with severe/frequent chest exacerbations may be prescribed with prophylactic antibiotics such as azithromycin on three days/week and if chronically colonized with pseudomonas also with nebulized colistin or tobramycin. For occasional recovery of pseudomonas in the sputum microbiology we follow an eradication protocol with systematic anti-pseudomonas antibiotics for 2-3 weeks (most commonly ciprofloxacin) followed by 3 months of nebulized colistin or tobramycin.

Patients with nutritional or growth deficiencies are also referred to the in-house nutritionist. Access to psychological and social support is also provided to patients dealing with frustration, fertility issues. During hospitalizations for iv treatments, Archbishop Makarios III hospital provides in house school services when required.

Xray

Spirometry graphs