Microbial study of bronchial lavage versus sputum in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

This study included 50 asthmatic children [30 males, and 20 females], aged 2-13 years, they were suffering from allergic infectious asthma. They were subjected to all routine investigations as well as some immunological parameters. Ninteen [19] children out of the 50 were selected and studied for their bacteriological pattern of the bronchial lavage versus their sputa, in between attacks using investigative bronchoscopy and nasotracheal aspiration by catheterization. Eight [8] cultures out of 19 obtained through bronchoscope gave growth as follows Klebsiella; 2 [25%], Neisseria; 1 [12.5%], the rest 5 showed no growth [62.5%]. The bronchial lavage obtained by nasotreacheal aspiration showed growth for Candida; 2 [18.2%], Strept viridans; 4 [36.4%], Staph. aureus; 3 [27.3%], Diphtheroid; 2 [18.2%] and Neisseria in one case only [9.1%] out ofthe 11 case respectively. One patient only gave growth for anaerobic organism [streptococcal group]. Three patients [27.3%] gave no growth. On the otherhand their sputa gave growth for, Candida; 1 [5.3%] Strept viridans; 5 [26. 3%], Diphtheroid; 4 [21.1%], Neisseria; 7 [36.8%], Klebsiella; 2 [10.5%], respectively in between attacks. The sputa of the total 50 asthmatics during attack gave growth for Haemophilus group; 39 [78%], Klebsiella; 4 [8%], Neisseria; 7 [14%], respectively. We conclude that sputa may not be an accurate reflection of lower respiratory infections, as there is a possibility of contamination. Also no correlation was found between sputum culture results and bronchial lavage either between attacks or during attacks. No correlations was found between [+ve] cultures and severity of the disease. Role of bacteria in triggering attacks of bronchial asthma is still vague