Journal of Asthma and Allergy

Recurrent Pulmonary Infections: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Pathophysiology

Recurrent pulmonary infections may occur due to a number of underlying conditions and also among normal hosts. They occur when the immune system is unable to effectively clear a pathogen. Examples of such chronic infections include tuberculosis, pneumonia, sinusitis, rhinitis, and influenza. Though recurrent pulmonary infections may occur in any individual, typically those with underlying conditions such as pulmonary structural abnormalities, primary or secondary immunodeficiencies, or congenital diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF), are affected the most. Other common sources of recurrent pulmonary infections include ciliary defects (both primary and secondary), aspiration, foreign body presence, and bronchiectasis.