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Abstract

Background: Bacterial infections are a significant contributing factor to acute exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis, and they have a substantial impact on clinical outcomes. Understanding the variability of causative organisms and their antibiotic resistance patterns is essential for optimizing treatment strategies and reducing morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: To determine the bacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance pattern in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis.
Study design: A Descriptive Case Series.
Place and duration of study: Department of Pulmonology, Allama Iqbal Medical College / Jinnah Hospital, Lahore From 01 December 2024 to 30 May 2025
Methods: This study was conducted at the Pulmonology Department of Allama Iqbal Medical College and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. 01 December 2024 to 30 May 2025 Sputum samples from 163 patients with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis were cultured to identify bacterial pathogens and tested for antibiotic resistance using the disc diffusion method.
Results: 163 Patients mean age of 63.4 years (SD = 12.5). The most prevalent pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found in 40% of patients. A noticeable resistance phenomenon was observed to beta-lactams (p < 0.01) and fluoroquinolones (p = 0.03). Patients with multi-drug-resistant organisms showed an increased hospital stay (p = 0.02) and higher mortality (p = 0.01).
Conclusion: The study finds that the prevalence of resistant pathogens in acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis is high. Personalised antibiotic treatment, tailored to individual resistance patterns, is essential for enhancing patient outcomes.