title: Bronchiectasis exacerbations: The role of atypical bacteria, respiratory syncytial virus and pulmonary function tests.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aside from the known role of common bacteria, there is a paucity of data regarding the possible role of atypical bacteria and viruses in exacerbations of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the possible role of atypical bacteria (namely, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as causative agents of bronchiectasis exacerbations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 33 patients was studied over a two-year period (one year follow-up for each patient). Polymerase chain reaction for the detection of M pneumoniae, C pneumoniae and RSV in bronchoalveolar lavage samples were performed during all visits. Antibody titres (immunoglobulin [Ig]M and IgG) against the aforementioned pathogens were also measured. In addition, cultures for common bacteria and mycobacteria were performed from the bronchoalveolar lavage samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients experienced a total of 19 exacerbations during the study period. Although RSV was detected by polymerase chain reaction during stable visits in four patients, it was never detected during an exacerbation. M pneumoniae and C pneumoniae were never detected at stable visits or during exacerbations. IgM antibody titres for these three pathogens were negative in all patient visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atypical pathogens and RSV did not appear to be causative agents of bronchiectasis exacerbations.
authors: Eugenios I
authors: EI
authors: Metaxas
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Balis
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Papaparaskevas
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Spanakis
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Tatsis
authors: Athanasios
authors: A
authors: Tsakris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification