Clinico-Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic  Resistance Pattern in Patients with Acute  Exacerbation of COPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Rajeev P  Thomas; Margret Chandira  Rajappa; Nagasubramanian  Venkatasubramaniam; Sanjay  Gnanamoorthi; Kumudhavalli Manni  Venkatachari

Rajeev P Thomas Research Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Margret Chandira Rajappa Professor & HOD, Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Nagasubramanian Venkatasubramaniam Research Scholar,Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Sanjay Gnanamoorthi Research Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Kumudhavalli Manni Venkatachari Professor & HOD, Department of Pharmacognosy, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: COPD, acute exacerbation, bacteriological profile, antibiotic resistance, prescription pattern.

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading respiratory illness characterised by frequent infectious exacerbations
that increase morbidity and mortality.
Aim: To identify bacterial pathogens responsible for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) and analyse antibiotic resistance patterns and
prescribing trends.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 93 AECOPD patients in Kerala. Sputum samples were processed for microbial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using CLSI guidelines. Demographic and prescription data were statistically analysed.
Results: Males comprised 75.3% of participants with a mean age of 64.5 years. Klebsiella pneumoniae (42%) was the predominant isolate, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-negative pathogens exhibited marked resistance to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and Beta-lactams. Clarithromycin and cefoperazone–sulbactam were most frequently prescribed empirically. Post-culture adjustments improved clinical outcomes in resistant
infections.
Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria dominate AECOPD aetiology in Kerala, showing extensive resistance. Rationalised antibiotic use and culture-guided therapy are vital to control emerging resistance.
Keywords: COPD, acute exacerbation, bacteriological profile, antibiotic resistance, prescription pattern.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202604

How to cite this article:
Thomas R P, Rajappa M C, Venkatasubramaniam N, Gnanamoorthi S, Venkatachari K M, Clinico Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of COPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(1):26-34.

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