title: [Antibiotic therapy for exacerbation].
abstract: Bacterial infections are involved in approximately 50% of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis are the main pathogens. Studies using quantitative cultures and molecular typing suggest a causal relationship between bacterial infection and exacerbation. Furthermore, an association between infection and bronchial inflammation has been demonstrated. In contrast to steroid therapy and non-invasive ventilation, the benefits of antibiotic treatment are not well established. Current guidelines recommend antimicrobial therapy for AECB in type I exacerbations, for patients needing ventilatory support and for patients with cardiac comorbidity. Bacterial eradication is able to prolong the infection free interval.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik III, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein - Campus Lübeck. klaus.dalhoff@uni-luebeck.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalhoff
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kothe
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators