There are many causes of bronchiectasis - some are acquired and others you may be born with (congenital). The following is a list of the most important and/or common ones. 

 

Infections
Infections can be a cause of bronchiectasis.  They may also be a consequence which in turn can lead to worsening bronchiectasis.  Examples include:

• Viral infections (measles, adenovirus, influenza),
• Bacterial infections (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella),
• Mycobacterial infections (tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex) and
• Fungal infections (histoplasmosis).

 

Immune Diseases
Immune diseases include:

• Antibody deficiencies (e.g., common variable immunodeficiency) and
• White blood cell dysfunctions (e.g., chronic granulomatous disease).

 

Post-Inflammatory Pneumonitis
Chronic pulmonary aspiration is caused by the recurrent inhalation of oral or stomach material into your lungs. This can lead to post-inflammatory pnemonitis. The aspiration can occur from:

• Impaired ability to swallow (oropharyngeal dysphagia) which may cause saliva or food to enter the lung.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which occurs when the valve of smooth muscle between the esophagus and the stomach does not function properly.  This muscle band is called the lower esophageal sphincter.

Normally the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a guard to prevent stomach contents (acid and non-acid) from backing up into the esophagus.  An increase of the pressure in the stomach and/or relaxation of the muscle tone of the valve may cause reflux to occur.  The stomach contents may enter your lungs and irritate the airways. Some signs and symptoms of GERD include:  heartburn, sour taste in mouth, or swallowing problems, but many (possibly up to 30%) of people with GERD (some with consequent bronchiectasis) may have no symptoms ("silent" GERD).

 

Autoimmune Diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and Wegener's granulomatosis are examples of rheumatologic, autoimmune or connective tissue diseases that can cause bronchiectasis.

 

Impaired Drainage of the Airways

• Impaired drainage of secretions can be due to cystic fibrosis (both classical and non-classical/atypical adult variants).
• Impaired drainage can also be caused by diseases that affect the function of the cilia. The cilia are small hairs that line the airways and move together to clear secretions from the airways. Diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, Kartagener's syndrome and Young's syndrome all have altered cilia function.

 

Obstruction of the Airways

• Obstruction of the airways can be caused from a growth or tumor.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspirgillosis are diseases that can cause obstruction of the airways.

 

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency or Anomaly

Learn about Alpha-1.