Abstract
Context: Bronchiectasis is a relatively common disease in developing countries, The pathogens responsible for its acute exacerbations vary from one area to another.
Objectives: To study the characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis in Northern lraq, and to identify the types of pathogens responsible for the acute exacerbations.
Design: Case series study.
Setting: Respiratory Care Unit and general medical wards in lbn-Sina Teaching Hospital in
Mosul, during the years 2002-2004.
Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with bronchiectasis (16 males and 34 females) presenting during an acute exacerbation underwent clinical and radiological evaluation with sputum Gram (Gm)stain and culture.
Results: The cause of the disease was readily identifiable in 367o of patients. Tuberculosis was the predominant aetiology. Streptococcus pneumoniae and klebsiella pneumoniae were the commonest pathogens. Gm negative bacilli were responsible for 36% of cases overall, and were especially important in those with long standing disease (≥15 years) Pseudomonas
aeruginosa was related to more extensive disease. Most of the isolates were sensitive to
ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime.
conclusion: Gm negative bacilli should be considered in antibiotic selection during acute
exacerbation of bronchiectasis, especially in long standing and extensive disease.
Keywords: bronchiectasis, Gram negative bacilli
