Multidrug resistant bacteria in bronchiectasis exacerbations

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiectasis exacerbations are often treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and patients are thus at risk of acquiring multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The aim was to identify risk factors associated with isolation of MDR pathogens in bronchiectasis exacerbations. Methods: Retrospective observational study of bronchiectasis exacerbations in hospitalized patients. Data was compared between two groups according to isolation of MDR bacteria. Results: The sample included 84 patients with a mean age of 75,6. MDR bacteria were isolated in 28,6% of the patients being MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) the most frequent isolation, n=18. The most common empiric antibiotherapy was Levofloxacin. Patients with MDR pathogen isolation were older, had longer hospitalizations and were more resistance to empiric treatment, p Conclusion: Various factors, such as recent hospitalization, number of exacerbations, PA colonization, recent antibiotherapy and systemic corticosteroids, may contribute for MDR bacteria infection in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Awareness is required to consider empiric broad spectrum antibiotics in certain high risk patients.