Although idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remains a devastating diagnosis, recent advances have improved our understanding of many facets of this disease. These breakthroughs, combined with the increased general availability of therapeutic trials, hold the promise of a brighter future for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. For example, we now have a more comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic criteria and natural history of the disease. Several studies have shown that simple measurement of pulmonary physiology or gas exchange can be used to predict patient survival. By identifying several molecular pathways that play significant roles in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, investigators have produced a growing list of novel potential therapeutic targets for the disease. Several prospective, controlled therapeutic trials have been conducted. Others are ongoing or are still in the planning stages. These efforts have advanced our current knowledge of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and have raised new important questions, as well as having generated the interest and momentum needed to gain additional ground in the fight against this challenging disease. This article offers the reader a view of the recent advances in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis research, with a focus on natural history, pathogenesis and treatment.

Keywords: Pulmonary fibrosis/diagnosis; Pulmonary fibrosis/drug therapy; Fibroblasts; Transforming growth factor beta; Lung/pathology, Anti-inflammatory agents/therapeutic use

In patients with myositis, the lung is commonly involved, and the presence of anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (anti-ARS) antibodies marks the presence or predicts the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD). A distinct clinical entity-antisynthetase syndrome-is characterized by the presence of anti-ARS antibodies, myositis, ILD, fever, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and mechanic's hands. The most common anti-ARS antibody is anti-Jo-1. More recently described anti-ARS antibodies might confer a phenotype that is distinct from that of anti-Jo-1-positive patients and is characterized by a lower incidence of myositis and a higher incidence of ILD. Among patients with antisynthetase syndrome-related ILD, the response to immunosuppressive medications is generally, but not universally, favorable.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Pneumonia; Infection.

Objective: Pneumococcal pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. The study's main aim was to evaluate the in-hospital mortality and related costs of community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Methods: This cross‑sectional study used medical records of adult patients with pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalized in a university hospital in Brazil from October 2009 to April 2017. All patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia were included. Risk factors, intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and direct and indirect costs were analyzed. Results: In total, 186 patients were selected. The mean in-hospital mortality rate was 18% for adults aged < 65 years and 23% for the elderly (≥ 65 years). Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia affected 20% of patients in both groups, mainly through chronic respiratory disease (adjusted OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.23-7.65, p < 0.01). Over 7 years, annual total direct and indirect costs were USD 28,188 for adults < 65 years (USD 1,746 per capita) and USD 16,350 for the elderly (USD 2,119 per capita). Conclusion: Pneumococcal pneumonia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among adults, significantly affecting direct and indirect costs. These results suggest the need for prevention strategies for all adults, especially for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Keywords: Pneumococcus; Pneumococcal disease; Pneumonia; Hospital costs; Mortality.