Sputum bacteriology in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background: Acute exacerbation is a common problem in the usual course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Infections play a chief role in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (AECOPD) that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess the bacteriology in COPD exacerbations of hospitalized patients and correlate with clinical and laboratory data of the patients. Patients and Method: a prospective study was conducted to correlate clinical, laboratory data with sputum culture results of 52 patients, admitted to the Pulmonology Department of Buraidah Central Hospital (BCH) with an AECOPD from 1st January 2018 till 31 August 2018. All collected sputum samples were subjected to standard microbiological procedures. Results: Growth of pathogenic organisms was seen in 37 (71%) of the 52 sputum samples tested. Gram-positive organisms were found in the majority 20 (54 %). Gram negative microbes accounted for 17 (46%). Streptococcus pneumoniae (24.3 %) was found to be the most common bacterial agent responsible for COPD exacerbations, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia 7 (18.9 %), Haemophilus influenzae (H influenzae) and Staphylococcus aureus; each was 5 (13.5%), Streptococcus pyogenes (Streptococcus pyogenes) 4 (10.8%), Moraxella catarrhalis (M catarrhalis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) each was 2 (5.4%) Conclusion: Sputum culture is considered a simple and good diagnostic modality to identify bacteria in AECOPD. Antibiogram would assist in developing a local antibiotic strategy and reducing the appearance of resistance stains.