Publication:

A bacteriological study of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over a period of one year

Background The aim of our study was to analyse the hospital data on AECOPD in patients with special reference in males and female cases, the pathogens involved, antibiotic susceptibility pattern.

Methods 107 patients (72 males, 35 females) aged between 45 and 85 years were included in the study. A detail history was elicited and complete examination was done. The sputum specimen was collected using sterile sputum cups and subjected to Gram’s stain, culture and biochemical reactions.

Results Our study shows 44 positive sputum cultures out of total 107 cases. Out of 107 cases 67% were males and 33% were females. The predominant clinical feature observed in our study was cough with expectoration, exertional dyspnoea and production of mucopurulent sputum. The prevalence of Gram negative bacteria was 55% and Gram positive bacteria was 45%. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest bacteria isolated (38%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18%). The drug sensitivity reveals that 79.55% of the isolates were sensitive to amikacin followed by 68.18% sensitive to amoxyclavulinic acid and 54.55% of the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions In a developing country like India AECOPD is more common in adults more than 55 years of age due to smoking habits and high indoor pollution. This leads to a major impact on the quality of life of patients with the condition. They are a major cause of hospital admission and health care utilization.