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Michael Epton

BM BS BMedSci(Hons) MRCP(UK) FRACP PhD

Email michael.epton@cdhb.health.nz

Canterbury Respiratory Research Group
40 Stewart St
Christchurch
New Zealand

Current Roles

  • 2016 - Present
    Adjunct Professor, Departments of Geography, and Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
  • November 2014 - Present
    Investigator (Christchurch Clinical Studies Trust, New Zealand)
  • February 2010 - Present
    Community Respiratory Physician, Canterbury Initiative, Christchurch, New Zealand
  • January 2009 - Present
    Consultant Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand
  • July 2002 - Present
    Director, The Canterbury Respiratory Research Group, Christchurch, New Zealand

Research Interests

  • Asthma, allergy and airway inflammation
  • Air Pollution and airway inflammation
  • COPD
  • Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
  • Beta agonist pharmacogenetics
  • Exhaled Breath Condensate

Top 10 Publications

  • Darlow BA, Horwood LJ, Woodward LJ, Elliott JM, Troughton RW, Elder MJ, Epton MJ, Stanton JD, Swanney MP, Keenan R, Melzer TR, McKelvey VA, Levin K, Meeks MG, Espiner EA, Cameron VA, Martin J. The New Zealand 1986 very low birth weight cohort as young adults: mapping the road ahead. BMC Pediatr. 2015 Aug 5;15:90
  • Storer M, Curry K, Squire M, Kingham S, Epton M. Breath testing and personal exposure--SIFT-MS detection of breath acetonitrile for exposure monitoring. J Breath Res. 2015 May 26;9(3):036006
  • Frith PA, Thompson PJ, Ratnavadivel R, Chang CL, Bremner P, Day P, Frenzel C, Kurstjens N; Glisten Study Group. Glycopyrronium once-daily significantly improves lung function and health status when combined with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD: the GLISTEN study, a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2015 Jun;70(6):519-27.
  • Epton MJ, Stanton JD, McGeoch GR, Shand BI, Swanney MP. The development of a community-based spirometry service in the Canterbury region of New Zealand: observations on new service delivery. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2015 Mar 5;25:15003.
  • Magnussen H, Disse B, Rodriguez-Roisin R, Kirsten A, Watz H, Tetzlaff K, Towse L, Finnigan H, Dahl R, Decramer M, Chanez P, Wouters EF, Calverley PM; WISDOM Investigators. Withdrawal of inhaled glucocorticoids and exacerbations of COPD. N Engl J Med. 2014 Oct 2;371(14):1285-94
  • Storer M., Salmond J., Dirks K.N., Kingham, S., Epton, M. Mobile selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) devices and their use for pollution exposure monitoring in breath and ambient air-pilot study. Journal of Breath Research 2014;8(3).
  • Maze M.J., Slow S., Cumins A.M., Boon K., Goulter P., Podmore R.G., Anderson T.P., Barratt K., Young S.A., Pithie A.D., Epton M.J., Werno A.M., Chambers S.T., Murdoch D.R. Enhanced detection of Legionnaires' disease by PCR testing of induced sputum and throat swabs. European Respiratory Journal 2014;43(2):644-646.
  • Scott-Thomas A., Epton M., Chambers S. Validating a breath collection and analysis system for the new tuberculosis breath test. Journal of Breath Research 2013;7(3)
  • Sturney S.C., Storer M.K., Shaw G.M., Shaw D.E., Epton M.J. Off-line breath acetone analysis in critical illness. Journal of Breath Research 2013;7(3)
  • Scott-Thomas A., Syhre M., Epton, M., Murdoch D.R., Chambers S.T. Assessment of potential causes of falsely positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis breath test. Tuberculosis 2013;93(3):312-317
  • Dummer J., Storer M., Sturney S., Scott-Thomas A., Chambers S., Swanney M., Epton E. Quantification of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in breath using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry - HCN is not a biomarker of Pseudomonas in chronic suppurative lung disease. Journal of Breath Research 2013;7(1). doi:10.1088/1752-7155/7/1/017105

Publications

Zhang, X., Wilkinson, A., Storer, M., & Epton, M. J. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on COPD admissions to Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand 2020-2021: A combined quantitative and qualitative study. Internal Medicine Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imj.16204
Journal - Research Article
Chambers, S. T., Scott-Thomas, A., Storer, M., Slow, S., Williman, J., Epton, M., Murdoch, D. R., Metcalf, S., Carr, A., Isenman, H., & Maze, M. (2023). Adjunctive intravenous then oral vitamin C for moderate and severe community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized adults: Feasibility of randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 13, 11879. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37934-z
Journal - Research Article
Cameron, V. A., Jones, G. T., Horwood, L. J., Pilbrow, A. P., Martin, J., Frampton, C., Ip, W. T., Troughton, R. W., Greer, C., Yang, J., Epton, M. J., Harris, S. L., & Darlow, B. A. (2023). DNA methylation patterns at birth predict health outcomes in young adults born very low birthweight. Clinical Epigenetics, 15, 47. doi: 10.1186/s13148-023-01463-3
Journal - Research Article
Cheung, J., Nordmeier, K., Kelland, S., Harrington, M., Williman, J., Storer, M., Beaglehole, B., … Chambers, S., Epton, M., Freeman, J., Murdoch, D., Werno, A., & Maze, M. (2023). Symptom persistence and recovery among COVID-19 survivors during a limited outbreak in Canterbury, New Zealand: A prospective cohort study. Internal Medicine Journal, 53, 37-45. doi: 10.1111/imj.15930
Journal - Research Article
Bryce, A., Foley, L., Phillipson, J., Slow, S., Storer, M., Williman, J., Beasley, R., Bhally, H., … Dummer, J., Epton, M., … Gracie, K., Hancox, R. J., Hills, T., Hogg, S., … Kearns, N., … Murdoch, D., Raymond, N., … Maze, M. J. (2022). Clinical features of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 from February to October 2020, during the early waves of the pandemic in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1552), 120-130. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
Journal - Research Article
Cameron, V. A., Jones, G. T., Horwood, L. J., Pilbrow, A. P., Martin, J., Frampton, C., Ip, W. T., Troughton, R. W., Greer, C., Yang, J., Epton, M. J., Harris, S. L., & Darlow, B. A. (2023). DNA methylation patterns at birth predict health outcomes in young adults born very low birthweight. Clinical Epigenetics, 15, 47. doi: 10.1186/s13148-023-01463-3
Journal - Research Article
Chambers, S. T., Scott-Thomas, A., Storer, M., Slow, S., Williman, J., Epton, M., Murdoch, D. R., Metcalf, S., Carr, A., Isenman, H., & Maze, M. (2023). Adjunctive intravenous then oral vitamin C for moderate and severe community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized adults: Feasibility of randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 13, 11879. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37934-z
Journal - Research Article
Cheung, J., Nordmeier, K., Kelland, S., Harrington, M., Williman, J., Storer, M., Beaglehole, B., … Chambers, S., Epton, M., Freeman, J., Murdoch, D., Werno, A., & Maze, M. (2023). Symptom persistence and recovery among COVID-19 survivors during a limited outbreak in Canterbury, New Zealand: A prospective cohort study. Internal Medicine Journal, 53, 37-45. doi: 10.1111/imj.15930
Journal - Research Article
Zhang, X., Wilkinson, A., Storer, M., & Epton, M. J. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on COPD admissions to Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand 2020-2021: A combined quantitative and qualitative study. Internal Medicine Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imj.16204
Journal - Research Article
Bryce, A., Foley, L., Phillipson, J., Slow, S., Storer, M., Williman, J., Beasley, R., Bhally, H., … Dummer, J., Epton, M., … Gracie, K., Hancox, R. J., Hills, T., Hogg, S., … Kearns, N., … Murdoch, D., Raymond, N., … Maze, M. J. (2022). Clinical features of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 from February to October 2020, during the early waves of the pandemic in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1552), 120-130. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
Journal - Research Article
Yang, J., Epton, M. J., Harris, S. L., Horwood, J., Kingsford, R. A., Troughton, R., Greer, C., & Darlow, B. A. (2022). Reduced exercise capacity in adults born at very low birth weight: A population-based cohort study. American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, 205, 88-98. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202103-0755OC
Journal - Research Article
McNeill, R. P., Zhang, M., Epton, M. J., & Doogue, M. P. (2021). Drub metabolism in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenotyping cocktail study. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 87, 4397-4407. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14862
Journal - Research Article
Vannier, C., Mulligan, H., Wilkinson, A., Elder, S., Malik, A., Morrish, D., … Epton, M. (2021). Strengthening community connection and personal well-being through volunteering in New Zealand. Health & Social Care in the Community, 29, 1971-1979. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13340
Journal - Research Article
Yang, J., Kingsford, R. A., Horwood, J., Epton, M. J., Swanney, M. P., Stanton, J., & Darlow, B. A. (2020). Lung function of adults born at very low birth weight. Pediatrics, 145(2), e20192359. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-2359
Journal - Research Article
Hoskin, T. S., Crowther, J. M., Cheung, J., Epton, M. J., Sly, P. D., Elder, P. A., … Kettle, A. J., & Dickerhof, N. (2019). Oxidative cross-linking of calprotectin occurs in vivo, altering its structure and susceptibility to proteolysis. Redox Biology, 24, 101202. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101202
Journal - Research Article
Pattemore, P. K., Silvers, K. M., Frampton, C. M., Wickens, K., Ingham, T., Fishwick, D., Crane, J., Town, G. I., Epton, M. J., on behalf of the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, including Lampshire, P., Leadbitter, P., Nicholson, A., & Siebers, R. (2018). Hair nicotine at 15 months old, tobacco exposure and wheeze or asthma from 15 months to 6 years old. Pediatric Pulmonology, 53(4), 443-451. doi: 10.1002/ppul.23903
Journal - Research Article
Slow, S., Epton, M., Storer, M., Thiessen, R., Lim, S., Wong, J., Chin, P., Tovaranonte, P., Pearson, J., Chambers, S. T., Murdoch, D. R., and VIDCAPS Group, including Jardine, D., & Pithie, A. (2018). Effect of adjunctive single high-dose vitamin D3 on outcome of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised adults: The VIDCAPS randomised controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 13829. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32162-2
Journal - Research Article
McEvoy, R. D., Antic, N. A., Heeley, E., Luo, Y., Ou, Q., Zhang, X., … for the SAVE Investigators and Coordinators, including Epton, M. J., Brockway, B., Cowan, J., Taylor, D. R., Palmay, R., Ferrier, K., & Neill, A. (2016). CPAP for prevention of cardiovascular events in obstructive sleep apnea. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(10), 919-932. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1606599
Journal - Research Article
Dummer, J., Storer, M., Sturney, S., Scott-Thomas, A., Chambers, S., Swanney, M., & Epton, M. (2013). Quantification of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in breath using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry: HCN is not a biomarker of Pseudomonas in chronic suppurative lung disease. Journal of Breath Research, 7(1), 017105. doi: 10.1088/1752-7155/7/1/017105
Journal - Research Article
Scott-Thomas, A., Epton, M., & Chambers, S. (2013). Validating a breath collection and analysis system for the new tuberculosis breath test. Journal of Breath Research, 7(3), 037108. doi: 10.1088/1752-7155/7/3/037108
Journal - Research Article
Scott-Thomas, A., Syhre, M., Epton, M., Murdoch, D. R., & Chambers, S. T. (2013). Assessment of potential causes of falsely positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis breath test. Tuberculosis, 93(3), 312-317. doi: 10.1016/j.tube.2013.01.005
Journal - Research Article
Storer, M., Dummer, J., Sturney, S., & Epton, M. (2013). Validating SIFT-MS analysis of volatiles in breath. Current Analytical Chemistry, 9(4), 576-583. doi: 10.2174/15734110113099990022
Journal - Research Article
Chambers, S. T., Scott-Thomas, A., & Epton, M. (2012). Developments in novel breath tests for bacterial and fungal pulmonary infection. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 18(3), 228-232. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e328351f98b
Journal - Research Article
Crane, J., Lampshire, P., Wickens, K., Epton, M., Siebers, R., Ingham, T., Pattemore, P., Town, I., and the Year Six New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, (NZAACS6) . (2012). Asthma, atopy and exhaled nitric oxide in a cohort of 6-yr-old New Zealand children. Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, 23(1), 59-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01227.x
Journal - Research Article
Silvers, K. M., Frampton, C. M., Wickens, K., Pattemore, P. K., Ingham, T., Fishwick, D., Crane, J., Town, G. I., Epton, M. J., on behalf of the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, including Duignan, M., Irvine, V., Lampshire, P., Leadbitter, P., & Siebers, R. (2012). Breastfeeding protects against current asthma up to 6 years of age. Journal of Pediatrics, 160(6), 991-996. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.11.055
Journal - Research Article
Tanpowpong, P., Ingham, T. R., Lampshire, P. K., Kirchberg, F. F., Epton, M. J., Crane, J., … and the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, including Pattemore, P., Siebers, R., & Wickens, K. (2012). Coeliac disease and gluten avoidance in New Zealand children. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97, 12-16. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2011-300248
Journal - Research Article
Thomson, C. D., Wickens, K., Miller, J., Ingham, T., Lampshire, P., Epton, M. J., Town, G. I., Pattemore, P., Crane, J., and the Year Six New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, (NZAACS6) including Siebers, R. (2012). Selenium status and allergic disease in a cohort of New Zealand Children. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 42(4), 560-567. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03924.x
Journal - Research Article
Bhandari, S., Chambers, S., Pearson, J., Syhre, M., Epton, M., & Scott-Thomas, A. (2011). Determining the limits and confounders for the 2-pentyl furan breath test by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B, 879(26), 2815-2820. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2011.08.010
Journal - Research Article
Camargo, Jr, C. A., Ingham, T., Wickens, K., Thadhani, R., Silvers, K. M., Epton, M. J., Town, G. I., Pattemore, P. K., … Crane, J., and the New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, including Duignan, M., Irvine, V., Lampshire, P., Leadbitter, P., & Siebers, R. (2011). Cord-blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of respiratory infection, wheezing, and asthma. Pediatrics, 127(1), e180-e187. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-0442
Journal - Research Article
Dummer, J., Storer, M., Swanney, M., McEwan, M., Scott-Thomas, A., Bhandari, S., Chambers, S., … Epton, M. (2011). Analysis of biogenic volatile organic compounds in human health and disease. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 30(7), 960-967. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2011.03.011
Journal - Research Article
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