Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Respiratory Diseases

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 1646

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Intermediate Care Unit, Ospedale Guglielmo da Saliceto, Piacenza, Italy
Interests: ICU; hemodialysis; critical care; intensive care medicine; sepsis; ventilation; hemodynamics; mechanical ventilation; dialysis; resuscitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Respiratory Diseases", focuses on the latest developments in diagnostic techniques for respiratory disorders. It presents cutting-edge research on innovative imaging technologies, such as advanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which enhance the early detection and precise characterization of lung abnormalities. Furthermore, the Special Issue explores advancements in molecular diagnostics, including the use of biomarkers and genetic testing, which are crucial for personalized medicine and tailored treatment plans. Contributions also highlight the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnostic algorithms, improving the accuracy and efficiency of respiratory disease identification. Overall, this collection offers a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape in respiratory disease diagnosis, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes.

Dr. Elio Antonucci
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • respiratory disease diagnosis
  • advanced diagnostic techniques
  • respiratory management strategies
  • therapeutic innovations
  • pulmonary pathophysiology
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • asthma management
  • interstitial lung diseases
  • respiratory infection

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 311 KiB  
Article
Characteristics and Outcomes of Diffuse Interstitial Pneumonias Discovered in the ICU: A Retrospective Monocentric Study—The “IPIC” (Interstitial Pneumonia in Intensive Care) Study
by Damien Eckert, Julien Bermudez, Marc Leone, Mathieu Di Bisceglie and Florent Montini
Diagnostics 2025, 15(16), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15161995 - 9 Aug 2025
Viewed by 224
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogenous group of disorders characterised by an association of inflammatory and fibrotic abnormalities of the lung. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) may represent the initial picture of the disease. This study aims to highlight the diagnosis [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogenous group of disorders characterised by an association of inflammatory and fibrotic abnormalities of the lung. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) may represent the initial picture of the disease. This study aims to highlight the diagnosis of ILD in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to describe the epidemiological, prognostic, and imaging features of patients diagnosed for the first time with ILD in the ICU. Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective study. We screened all 2459 patients admitted to our ICU from October 2017 to February 2020. The inclusion criteria consisted of the ILD diagnosis criteria. For each patient, clinical data and lung computed tomography scan patterns were analysed. The selected cases were then reviewed by an expert team at the tertiary care teaching hospital of Marseille (Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France). Results: During the study period, 26 ICU patients were diagnosed with ILD and 20 cases were confirmed by the expert team. The most frequent diagnoses were idiopathic ILD (n = 7, 35%), auto-immune disease-related ILD (n = 7, 35%), exposure-related ILD (n = 3, 15%), and carcinomatous lymphangitis (n = 3, 15%). Fifteen patients were men (75%), with a mean age of 70 (62–72) years. The median SOFA score was 4 (3–7), and 16 (80%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation. The mean ratio of the oxygen pressure to the fraction of inspired oxygen was 174 (148–198) mmHg. The ICU mortality rate of our cohort was significantly higher than the average ICU mortality (65% vs. 26%, p < 0.003). The mortality rate was lower among the subgroup of auto-immune disease-related ILD (57%). Conclusions: We conducted a single-centre cohort study of patients diagnosed with ILD in the ICU. This rare cause of ARF was associated with poor outcome in the ICU, but auto-immune disease-related ILD seemed to have a better prognosis. High-resolution lung CT and identification of lesion patterns are the cornerstones of the diagnosis. Improved knowledge of ILD and multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) involving radiologists, pneumologists, and intensivists may result in an earlier diagnosis and eventually improved treatments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 1001 KiB  
Review
Old and New Definitions of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): An Overview of Practical Considerations and Clinical Implications
by Cesare Biuzzi, Elena Modica, Noemi De Filippis, Daria Pizzirani, Benedetta Galgani, Agnese Di Chiaro, Daniele Marianello, Federico Franchi, Fabio Silvio Taccone and Sabino Scolletta
Diagnostics 2025, 15(15), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15151930 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 519
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Intensive Care Unit patients, with severe cases often progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This life-threatening syndrome results from alveolar–capillary membrane injury, causing refractory hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Early [...] Read more.
Lower respiratory tract infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Intensive Care Unit patients, with severe cases often progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This life-threatening syndrome results from alveolar–capillary membrane injury, causing refractory hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Early detection and management are critical to treat the underlying cause, provide protective lung ventilation, and, eventually, improve patient outcomes. The 2012 Berlin definition standardized ARDS diagnosis but excluded patients on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) modalities, which are increasingly used, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. By excluding these patients, diagnostic delays can occur, risking the progression of lung injury despite ongoing support. Indeed, sustained, vigorous respiratory efforts under non-invasive modalities carry significant potential for patient self-inflicted lung injury (P-SILI), underscoring the need to broaden diagnostic criteria to encompass these increasingly common therapies. Recent proposals expand ARDS criteria to include NIV and HFNCs, lung ultrasound, and the SpO2/FiO2 ratio adaptations designed to improve diagnosis in resource-limited settings lacking arterial blood gases or advanced imaging. However, broader criteria risk overdiagnosis and create challenges in distinguishing ARDS from other causes of acute hypoxemic failure. Furthermore, inter-observer variability in imaging interpretation and inconsistencies in oxygenation assessment, particularly when relying on non-invasive measurements, may compromise diagnostic reliability. To overcome these limitations, a more nuanced diagnostic framework is needed—one that incorporates individualized therapeutic strategies, emphasizes lung-protective ventilation, and integrates advanced physiological or biomarker-based indicators like IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ, which are associated with worse outcomes. Such an approach has the potential to improve patient stratification, enable more targeted interventions, and ultimately support the design and conduct of more effective interventional studies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 583 KiB  
Review
Non-Coding RNAs in Asthma: Regulators of Eosinophil Biology and Airway Inflammation
by Eglė Vasylė, Andrius Januškevičius and Kęstutis Malakauskas
Diagnostics 2025, 15(14), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15141750 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. Despite extensive research, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Among the key immune cells involved, eosinophils play a central role in asthma pathophysiology through [...] Read more.
Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. Despite extensive research, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Among the key immune cells involved, eosinophils play a central role in asthma pathophysiology through their contributions to Type 2 inflammation, tissue remodeling, and immune regulation. Recent studies have shown that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating eosinophil biology and contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying asthma progression. This review consolidates the current understanding of ncRNAs in the development of eosinophils, their involvement in asthma pathogenesis, and the mechanisms underlying this process. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop