ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with Post TB bronchiectasis colonize many aerobic bacteria and fungi and lead to an increase in exacerbations and decrease in quality of life. Objective: To study the prevalence of aerobic bacteria and fungi in sputum specimens of patients with post tubercular bronchiectasis and to find out the local antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out over a period of one year comprising of 50 patients with post Tubercular Bronchiectasis who were above 18 yrs, completed ATT smear negative and HRCT showing bronchiectactic changes. Identification of organisms from sputum samples were done by classical aerobic microbial staining and culture methods. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out in this study. Results: This study comprises of the 50 patients with a larger group of individuals under the age group of 51-60 (30%), along with bronchial colonization of aerobic bacteria being 78% and growth of fungi being 2%.Among the 39 patients,16 patients (32%) had grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 12 patients(24%) had grown Klebsiella pneumoniae, 8 patients(16%) had grown Streptococcus species and rest 3 patients(6%) had grown staphylococcus species. The Antibiotic resistance noted highest being Amikacin (56.4%), piperacillin-tazobactam showing the least (2.6%) and highest sensitivity with imipenem(100%). Conclusion: This study signifies that prevalence of aerobic bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia was common in patients with post tubercular bronchiectasis. The Antibiotic resistance noted highest being Amikacin (56.4%) and sensitivity with imipenem(100%). In patients colonizing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, there was significant decline in lung function.