One hundred and seven patients (51, 30 & 26 subjects were type 1, 2 & 3 respectively) of AECOPD admitted in medicine, tuberculosis and chest wards over a period of 6 months from 1^st October 2014 to 31^st March 2015 were selected for the study, after permission of the ethical committee of our institute.

Variables included for the study were age, sex, smoking, immunization for Haemophilus influenazae & Streptococcus pneumoniae, signs and symptoms of the patient. The information regarding these variables was collected by using a pretested questionnaire.

Inclusion criteria: All clinically diagnosed cases of AECOPD formed the subject of the study group.

Exclusion criteria: Patients admitted in emergency department, attending out patient department, sign & symptoms suggestive of coronary thrombosis, localized suppurative infection in the lung, allergic origin pulmonary disease and use of antibiotics before hospitalisation were not included in the study.

Specimen collection: Early morning samples were obtained from cases that were clinically diagnosed as AECOPD. Patients were instructed to collect deep coughed sputum into a sterile wide mouth container with a screw cap after rinsing the mouth twice with plain water.

Specimen transport: The samples were brought to Microbiology laboratory of Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute Indore, immediately and processed within 30 minutes of collection.

Culture methods: Direct gram stain was done from sputum sample and reported according to Bartlett’s grading system. A score of 1 and above was considered suitable sample [5]. The suitable sputum samples were inoculated onto Mac Conkey’s agar, chocolate agar and two blood agar plates. On one blood agar streaking with Staphylococci was done to facilitate growth of Haemophilus influenzae. All the plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in 7-10 % CO₂ concentration. The isolated organisms were identified by standard microbiological techniques [6]. All the isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility (Hi-Media Mumbai) by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar [7].

A total of 107 cases were included in the present study, 72 (67.29%) were males and 35 (32.71%) females (M:F ratio 2.06:1). Amongst them 43 (40.19%) were aged 51-60 years and 3 (2.80%) were aged more than 80 years [Table/Fig-1]. Out of 72 males, 45 (62.5%) were smokers and 27 (37.5%) were non-smokers. None of the patients had received immunization for Haemophilus influenae or Streptococcus pneumoniae in the past.

Gram staining findings were noted in 90.65% (97/107) cases. Growth of pathogenic organisms was obtained in 41.12% (44/107) cases. Monomicrobial growth yielded in 88.64% (39/44) and polymicrobial in 11.36% (5/44) sputum samples. Among the 39 single pathogenic microbial growth gram negative bacilli were more isolated (24/39) than gram positive cocci (15/39). Out of 39 monomicrobial growths, Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest bacteria 38.46% followed by Staphylococcus aureus 23.08%, Streptococcus species 15.39%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10.26 %, E.coli 5.13%, Acinetobacter species 5.13% & Enterobacter species 2.56% cases. Out of 44 sputum samples 5 yielded polymicrobial growths. The pattern of polymicrobial was Staphylococcus aureus with Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae with Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae with E.coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae with Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae with Streptococcus pneumoniae in each case. It was observed that purulent or mucopurulent sputum gave better isolation of pathogens than mucoid or mucosalivary sputum.

Klebsiella pneumoniae which was the most common isolate, were mainly sensitive to amikacin, meropenem & levofloxacin. Staphylococcus aureus which was the prevalent gram positive isolate, were sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, amikacin, clarithromycin, cefotaxime & levofloxacin. 44.44% (4/9) of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Streptococcus species were sensitive to levofloxacin, linezolid, vancomycin, azithromycin & clarithromycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were mainly sensitive to amikacin, meropenem & polymyxin B. E.coli were sensitive to amikacin and meropenem [Table/Fig-2].

It was observed that AECOPD prevalent in 41-80 years age group. However among them, 51-70 years age group constituted 73%. Thus, AECOPD was common in advance age group as respiratory tract is more susceptible due to impairment of immunological defence mechanism, associated co-morbid illness, increased duration of seasonal variation & tobacco smoking. Males were affected more than females because they were more involved in smoking & start it in younger age group, therefore more chance of inhalation and increased environmental exposure or temperature variation [8]. In non-smokers, especially among women, exposure to indoor air pollution was an important factor [2].

In our study gram staining findings were in correlation with the culture findings in 90.65% cases; therefore it remained a time honoured method for sputum samples. Aerobic culture positivity was 41.12% which is similar to other study [9]. The prevalence of gram negative isolates was 61.54%, as compared to 38.46% of gram positive isolates corresponding to other studies [10,11].

Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were common bacteria in our study. The bacterial isolates depend on prevalence of bacteria in hospital environment, in the community, antibiotic prophylaxis & severity of exacerbation. Haemophilus influenzae was not isolated in our study which can be explained by the fact of temperature variations & use of antibiotics either self or prescription of unqualified medical practitioners.

Clinicians prescribed the antibiotics on the basis of antibiogram. Based on sensitivity pattern, effective drugs like azithromycin & clarithromycin are available for treatment of gram positive isolates, meropenem & piperacillin-tazobactam for gram negative isolates and amikacin & levofloxacin for both gram positive & negative isolates. Vancomycin & linezolid are to be given only for methicillin/oxacillin resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Least sensitivity was shown with cotrimoxazole & ciprofloxacin. Though sensitivity to levofloxacin was excellent for majority of pathogens, it can’t be considered as the first option for starting treatment, as its frequent usage can lead to emergence of the resistant strains.

Amikacin and levofloxacin, were the most active antibacterial agents and therefore, the drug of choice in treating AECOPD in our setting. Bacteria causing AECOPD are different in India as compared to western studies. More studies like this are required at regular interval, to formulate an antibiotic policy which helps in preventing mortality & morbidity due to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.