Eur Respir J 2001; 17:995-1007
Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2001
Bacteria, antibiotics and COPD
R. Wilson1,2
1 Royal Brompton Hospital and 2 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine at National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK
CORRESPONDENCE: R. Wilson, National Heart and Lung Institute, Emmanuel Kaye Building, Manresa Road, London, UK. Fax: 44 2073518338
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, antibiotics, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary infections.
Received: September 21, 2000
Accepted October 3, 2000
Abstract
Bacterial infection is one of several important causes of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that may coexist. COPD is a heterogeneous condition and the incidence of bacterial infection is not uniform; mucus hypersecretion may be an important risk factor.
The bacteriology of infections varies depending on the severity of the underlying airway disease. There is now a much better understanding of the pathogenesis of bacterial infections of the respiratory mucosa. Lower airway bacterial colonization may be a stimulus for chronic inflammation and may influence the interval between exacerbations.
Antibiotic resistance has increased in all the major pathogens. Antibiotics are an important part of the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD and the decision about whether to give an antibiotic can be made on clinical grounds. It is more difficult to decide, on the available evidence, whether patient characteristics and the risk of antibiotic resistance should influence choice of empiric antibiotic treatment.
Most new antibiotics are modifications of existing structures, suggesting that every effort should be made to conserve the sensitivity of current antibiotics by using them appropriately.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Beyersmann and M. Schumacher
Time-dependent covariates in the proportional subdistribution hazards model for competing risks
Biostat.,
October 1, 2008;
9(4):
765 - 776.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Wilson
Short course of antibiotic treatment in acute exacerbations of COPD
Thorax,
May 1, 2008;
63(5):
390 - 392.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Miravitlles
Review: Do we need new antibiotics for treating exacerbations of COPD?
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease,
October 1, 2007;
1(1):
61 - 76.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A Torrego, R A Haque, L T Nguyen, M Hew, D H Carr, R Wilson, and K F Chung
Capsaicin cough sensitivity in bronchiectasis
Thorax,
August 1, 2006;
61(8):
706 - 709.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Fernaays, A. J. Lesse, S. Sethi, X. Cai, and T. F. Murphy
Differential Genome Contents of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Strains from Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Infect. Immun.,
June 1, 2006;
74(6):
3366 - 3374.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R Wilson, P Jones, T Schaberg, P Arvis, I Duprat-Lomon, P P Sagnier, and for the MOSAIC Study Group
Antibiotic treatment and factors influencing short and long term outcomes of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis
Thorax,
April 1, 2006;
61(4):
337 - 342.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. B. Toews
Impact of bacterial infections on airway diseases
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
December 1, 2005;
14(95):
62 - 68.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Wilson
Treatment of COPD exacerbations: antibiotics
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2005;
14(94):
32 - 38.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Wilson
Bacteria and Airway Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: More Evidence
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
July 15, 2005;
172(2):
147 - 148.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F. J. Martinez, R. F. Grossman, N. Zadeikis, A. C. Fisher, K. Walker, M. E. Ambruzs, and A. M. Tennenberg
Patient stratification in the management of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: the role of levofloxacin 750 mg
Eur. Respir. J.,
June 1, 2005;
25(6):
1001 - 1010.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Banerjee, O.A. Khair, and D. Honeybourne
Impact of sputum bacteria on airway inflammation and health status in clinical stable COPD
Eur. Respir. J.,
May 1, 2004;
23(5):
685 - 691.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Miravitlles
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: when are bacteria important?
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2002;
20(36_suppl):
9S - 19s.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. Sohy, C. Pilette, M.S. Niederman, and Y. Sibille
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and antibiotics: what studies are still needed?
Eur. Respir. J.,
May 1, 2002;
19(5):
966 - 975.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2001 by the European Respiratory Society.
|