European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASPERGILLUS COLONIZATION: A MARKER OF EXACERBATION IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Alosha Sharma, Dr. Dakshina Bisht* Shukla Das V. K. Arora4

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Patients with exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are becoming one of the main risk groups for development of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA). Aims and Objectives: To isolate Aspergillus species from COPD patients having lower respiratory tract infections and to determine its role as an exacerbation factor. Material and Methods: Respiratory samples were collected from patients having COPD with or without exacerbations and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) for isolation of Aspergillus spp. which were confirmed by standard mycological methods. Whole blood samples were also collected and screened for the presence of specific anti - Aspergillus antibodies. Results: Of the total 150 LRTI patients, 30% (45) had COPD. 56% (22/45) of these COPD patients were unstable and hospitalised while 45% (20/45) were stable and did not require hospitalisation. 37% (17/45) Aspergillus spp. were isolated from the COPD patients majority of them being unstable. Conclusion: Colonization by Aspergillus spp. increased exacerbation in COPD patients and worsened their clinical condition.

Keywords: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Exacerbations, Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA).