[Smoking and lower respiratory tract infection]

Cigarette smoking exerts deleterious effects not only on the respiratory tract, but also on the lung's parenchyma. The FEV is reduced in heavy chronic smokers. Persistent smoking has an unfavourable influence on mucociliary activity. According to the results of recent research almost 8 million people in the U.S. were suffering from chronic bronchitis in 1981. There is a direct correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked, over what period of time, and the incidence of chronic bronchitis. In studies with patients suffering from exacerbations of chronic bronchitis the most common bacterial pathogens found were Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Branhamella catarrhalis. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and certain viruses are counted amongst the non-bacterial pathogens. Antibiotics should be effective against such possible pathogens. The resistance of H. influenzae to ampicillin/amoxicillin is currently observed in at least 12% of cases, whilst H. influenzae is regularly observed to be resistant to erythromycin. Cefaclor, trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid offer satisfactory forms of treatment. Pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, B. catarrhalis and Legionella pneumophila is often seen in smokers and patients with COLD. Haemocultures should be prepared for all hospitalized patients. Penicillin G and/or V is the agent of choice. Cefaclor or trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole can be given to counter beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae whilst cefaclor, erythromycin, tetracycline or trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole are used for the treatment of B. catarrhalis infections. In Legionella infections erythromycin is the preferred treatment. A combination of erythromycin and cefamandole or ceftriaxone is indicated for empirical management. Patients with COLD should be immunised with pneumococcus and influenza vaccines.