Enhanced detection of respiratory pathogens using PCR in COPD and asthma exacerbations
Aim: This study aimed to identify bacterial pathogens causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and asthma attacks by evaluating nasopharyngeal swabs tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and simultaneous sputum cultures from hospitalized patients, and to assess the cont...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pensoft Publishers
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Folia Medica |
| Online Access: | https://foliamedica.bg/article/152245/download/pdf/ |
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| Summary: | Aim: This study aimed to identify bacterial pathogens causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and asthma attacks by evaluating nasopharyngeal swabs tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and simultaneous sputum cultures from hospitalized patients, and to assess the contribution of PCR to causative agent identification. Materials and methods: Patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbations or asthma attacks from September 2022 to May 2023 were included. Bacterial pathogens were evaluated using PCR on nasopharyngeal swab samples, with simultaneous sputum culture results recorded. Analyzed pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Frequencies of pathogens detected by PCR and culture were compared. Results: The study included 911 patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs and simultaneous sputum cultures were obtained from 448 patients with COPD exacerbations and 127 patients with asthma attacks. In COPD exacerbations, H. influenzae was detected in 52 (8.7%) patients and S. pneumoniae in 32 (5.3%) by PCR, compared to 2 (0.4%) and 3 (0.7%) patients by sputum culture, respectively. In asthma attacks, H. influenzae was detected in 20 (6.5%) patients and S. pneumoniae in 11 (3.5%) patients by PCR, with S. pneumoniae detected by sputum culture only in 1 (0.8%) patient. H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were significantly higher in COPD exacerbations and asthma attacks using PCR (p<0.05). Conclusion: PCR may detect bacterial pathogens in COPD exacerbations and asthma attacks more effectively than sputum culture within the context of this study. |
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| ISSN: | 1314-2143 |