Related Experiment Videos
Bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis in human immunodeficiency virus infection
A Verghese1, M al-Samman, D Nabhan
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|September 26, 1994
Summary
Recurrent bacterial bronchitis is more common in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This condition may lead to bronchiectasis, a lung condition that might be more prevalent in HIV patients than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bacterial pneumonia and sinusitis are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.
- An increased incidence of bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis was observed in HIV-infected individuals.
Observation:
- Bacterial bronchitis was diagnosed via Gram's stain and sputum culture, with bronchoscopy used to rule out other causes.
- Bronchiectasis was diagnosed using bronchography and computed tomography.
- The study analyzed 18 episodes of bacterial bronchitis in 10 HIV-infected patients with low CD4 counts.
Findings:
- Common pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Antibiotic therapy was generally effective, but recurrences were frequent.
- Three patients developed bronchiectasis, with low CD4 counts and identified pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas species.
Implications:
- Recurrent bacterial bronchitis should be recognized as an increased risk in HIV infection.
- Repeated bacterial bronchitis may contribute to the development of bronchiectasis.
- Bronchiectasis may be more common in HIV-infected populations than currently understood.