Title : Bacterial spectrum of sputum in COPD patients in acute exacerbation admitted in a tertiary care centre
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of acute exacerbation of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (AECOPD) is respiratory tract infections. The trend of bacterial flora changes from time to time and place to place. This study was undertaken to find out the common causative organisms causing exacerbations of COPD and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in sputum culture of patients attending a tertiary care centre.
AIM: To evaluate the spectrum of organisms and its antibiotic sensitivity in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD
METHODS: This was a retrospective study which included 100 COPD patients admitted in acute exacerbation in a tertiary care centre. Patients’ demographic and clinical details along with results of sputum gram stain, aerobic culture and sensitivity were noted.
RESULTS: Out of the 100 patients admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD, 28 patients needed to be admitted to ICU, rest 72 patients were admitted to the general ward. About 42 patients presented with fever and 58 patients did not show any fever. The culture was positive for 34 out of 100 patients. The most common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Klebsiella pneumonia. The most common sensitive antibiotics were carbapenems and Polymyxin-B. Exacerbations due to bacterial infection increased the duration of hospital stay and ICU admission.
CONCLUSION: Careful selection of antibiotics and early treatment could offer a faster resolution of acute exacerbation of COPD.
