@article{Zanini_Della Patrona_Facchini_Spanevello_2015, title={Induced sputum in the management of COPD: clinical implications}, volume={77}, url={https://www.monaldi-archives.org/macd/article/view/163}, DOI={10.4081/monaldi.2012.163}, abstractNote={Sputum induction can be used as a non-invasive technique to investigate airway inflammation in asthma and COPD. We reported the case of a 68 year old man with COPD, stage III GOLD, that underwent sputum induction during two exacerbation episodes. The first cell count showed a typical sputum neutrophilia, whereas the second showed sputum eosinophilia. On the basis of sputum cellularity, we decided to treat the first episode with a course of antibiotics and the second exacerbation with a course of antibiotics and oral steroids. The patient showed improvement in both cases, obtaining clinical stabilisation. The induced sputum cell count could be a useful technique in a clinical setting to evaluate the cellular characteristics of airway inflammation during COPD exacerbation and modulate the antinflammatory therapy.}, number={1}, journal={Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease}, author={Zanini, A. and Della Patrona, S. and Facchini, A.L. and Spanevello, A.}, year={2015}, month={Dec.} }