[Markers of lung disease in expired air]

Many chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. A complex interplay between the specific cause of the diseases, the type and intensity of inflammation and oxidative stress, results in the clinical picture and reveals the probability of progression of the specific disease. The presence of inflammation and oxidative stress has been established in interstitial lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive lung diseases and asthma. Noninvasively obtained markers of inflammation and oxidative stress from the breath may assist in diagnosis of pulmonary diseases, assessment of diseases severity and response to treatment. Exhaled markers include NO, CO, H2O2, ethane, pentane, and isoprostanes.