SPUTUM CULTURE AND POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION TESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a growing pulmonary disorder comprised of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This condition is characterized by breathlessness, decrease immunity, and recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTI). The objective of this study was identification of predominant bacterial pathogens in respiratory tract, responsible for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using highly sensitive real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and conventional methods. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, 120 diagnosed regular follow-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with informed and written consent aged between 40–55 years from both sexes were included in the study. All samples were analyzed through sputum culturing and PCR assays. Results: Sixty stable state samples and 60 aggravated condition samples were collected from subjects on treatment for the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stable state samples were negative for Chlamydophila pneumonia, and Mycoplasma pneumonia. However, samples showed the presence of Moraxella, Streptococcus, Nocardia, Lactobacilli, and Legionella. In aggravated state samples Haemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pneumonia, E. coli, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, and Nocardia were observed. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that there is a unique relationship between bacterial pathogens and the recurrence of the severity of symptoms in COPD. To understand the diversity of atypical and typical microbiota it is important to utilize sensitive advanced techniques for routine investigations of the COPD population.

Pak J Physiol 2022;18(1):39–43