[Morphology and pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis]

Histologic and ultrastructural features of the chronic catarrhal bronchitis are presented and its pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. An important role in the development of bronchitis of the mucociliary transport system damage, retention of the mucus and bacterial contamination of the respiratory tract is analysed. Current hypothesis of the chronic bronchitis development based on the disturbance of the protease-antiprotease and oxidative-antioxidative balance is presented. The data on the role of the specific and non-specific local immune mechanisms of the lung defence in the development of the exacerbations are given.