Abstract

Bacterial infections are frequent cause of COPD exacerbation. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumonia and Moraxella catarrhalis are the major pathogens. Recently, atypical bacteria, especially Chlamydia pneumonia were studied in acute COPD exacerbation. In our study, the prevalance of C. pneumonia (IgA, IgM, and IgG), Mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionella pneumophila and Influenza A was assessed by serology in 39 patients with COPD. All antibodies were detected with ELISA. The average age of patients was 60.4±9.7 (M:25, F:14), and 55±8.4 of control group. (M:11, F:9). Mean FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values of the patients were 2.21±1.19 L, 1.37±0.9 L, and 60.9±10.4 %, respectively. Duration of hospitalization of the patients was found as 12.2±3.7 days for seropositive cases, and 11.2±6.2 for seronegative cases (p>0.05). Influenza A was detected serologically in seven patients (17.8%), C.pneumonia IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 5 (12.8%), 3 (7.7%), and 6 (15.3%) patients with COPD, respectively. M.pneumonia and Legionella pneumophila were detected in 3 patients (7.7%) and in one patient (2.7%) with COPD, respectively. C.pneumonia Ig G was positive only in one subject of control group. Our data show that Influenza A and C.pneumonia were frequent cause of COPD exacerbation. As a result, we believe that Influenza A and C.pneumonia could be considered as a cause of COPD exacerbation.