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Pattern of sputum bacteriology in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Acute exacerbation of COPD is redefined as a sustained worsening of a patient’s condition from a stable state (beyond normal day-to-day variations) that is acute in onset and that may warrant additional treatment in a patient with underlying COPD.

Aim

This study aimed at searching for a pattern of sputum bacteriology and antibiotic sensitivity for acute exacerbation of COPD in patients admitted to Abbassia Chest Diseases Hospital.

Patients and methods

This study included 110 patients who presented with acute exacerbation of COPD. The patients were classified into several groups according to different variables, such as severity, respiratory acidosis, and smoking habits. Bacteriological investigations were performed for all patients including Gram stain examination together with culture and sensitivity testing after proper processing of sputum or endotracheal samples.

Results and conclusion

Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. were the most common isolates in patients with mild to moderate COPD admitted to the respiratory ICU and to the ward. Each had an incidence of five (15.15%) isolates in the ICU, whereas in the ward there were 13 (14.9%) isolates of Klebsiella spp. and seven (8.04%) isolates of Acinetobacter spp. Acinetobacter spp., however, was the most common isolate in patients with severe to very severe COPD, with an incidence of five (17.9%) isolates. Imipenem was the most sensitive antibiotic in all patient groups in the ICU and ward.

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Correspondence to Ahmed M. Abd El-Hafeez MD.

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Sobhy, K.E., Abd El-Hafeez, A.M., Shoukry, F.A. et al. Pattern of sputum bacteriology in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Egypt J Bronchol 9, 170–177 (2015). https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-8426.158065

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1687-8426.158065

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