Haemophilus spp. in acute exacerbations of COPD and co-occurrence of selected microbiota components

Most studies on Haemophilus influenzae in the course of COPD focus on occurrence of this species in the respiratory tract. However, the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the respiratory tract, may play a role in the course of COPD. Our study examined the presence of Haemophilus spp. in the oral cavity, respiratory tract and large intestine, and the level of anti-H. influenzae antibodies in patients during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). An additional goal was to identify the potential microbiota components co-occurring with Haemophilus spp. The study included 35 patients with AECOPD and the control group (23 people). Haemophilus spp. were isolated from 20 % patients in the AECOPD and 17.39 % from the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.74). Mean levels of anti-H. influenzae antibodies were 0.491 ± 0.871 μg/ml in the AECOPD group and 1.021 ± 1.421 μg/ml in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.332). Greater diversity within Streptococci and Gram-negative bacilli was found in biological materials from AECOPD. We noted a more common frequency of isolation of Haemophilus spp. from the large intestine of AECOPD, which may indicate the occurrence of gut dysbiosis during exacerbations. The analysis of selected associated species showed that the bacteriological status of a COPD patient may influence the frequency and course of exacerbations.