CLINICO-MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD patients are frequently colonised with potential respiratory pathogens. Use of empirical antibiotics without proper investigations in acute exacerbation leads to emerging resistant strains.

Aim: This study is aimed to record the clinical profile of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with special reference to microbiological profile so that early adequate treatment can be given.

Material and Methods: This observational cross sectional study was conducted on 104 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted in Medicine department of Jorhat Medical college and hospital from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021.After written informed consent detailed history,spirometry, sputum culture and sensitivity with AFB, Gram and fungal staining, chest X- ray, blood parameters and ECG were done.

Result: COPD is common above 40 years of age with male predominance (63.46%).36.54% were active smoker,25% were ex smoker and 38.46% were non smoker. Positive bacteriological culture was obtained in 32.69% of cases, commonest organism being Klebsiella pneumoniae (24%)followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.92%), Escherichia coli.(0.96%)and Citrobacter freundii(0.96%).32% of Klebsiella pneumoniae,40% of Klebsiella oxytoca and 100% of Citrobacter were found to be multidrug resistant strain.

Conclusion : Gram negative bacteria were more frequently isolated in our study. Early antimicrobial treatment reduces the increasing burden of COPD.