The bacteriology of bronchiectasis patients and relation to disease severity

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a progressive pulmonary disease with repeated cough, expectoration and frequent respiratory infections. Every patient should have sample collected for routine bacteriological culture. Determining the disease's severity can help with therapy and follow-up choices. AIM OF THE STUDY: To detect the bacteriology of bronchiectasis patients and relation to disease severity. RESULTS: 60 patients with bronchiectasis exacerbation were investigated at chest department of Fayoum University Hospital. Broncho alveolar lavage for culture and sensitivity was done. Disease severity was assessed by cough score, mMRC dyspnea score, oxygen saturation, no of lobes affected in CT chest and modified rieff score, Spirometry and classification of severity by FEV1, and finally FACED and BSI scores were calculated. Isolation of H.Influenza represents 40%, Pseudomonas represents 26.7%, Klebsiella represents 20%, Staph aureus represents 10% and Pseudomonas& Klebsiella represent 3.3%. There was a statistically significant lower mean of oxygen saturation in cases infected with both pseudomonas and Klebsiella. There was a statistically significant high percentage of mild Modified Reiff score among cases infected with H. influenza, moderate degree among cases infected with Klebsiella, but severe degree among cases infected with pseudomonas. CONCLUSION: H. influenzae consider as a major pathogen isolated by BAL culture in patients with bronchiectasis exacerbation, followed by P. aeruginosa, then klebsiella then S. aureus. Cases infected with P. aeruginosa and klebsiella have the worst oxygen saturation. The highest modified Rieff score was in P. aeruginosa than other isolated organisms.