Ankit Kumar*, Laxmi Devi, Yogendra Narayan Verma, Shubham Chandra, Shivanki Agarwal and Parul Sharma
Introduction: LRTIs are a common cause of death in both children and adults worldwide. It has significant burden on healthcare resources. These infections can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The diagnosis of LRTIs can be challenging, as the symptoms can be nonspecific and the underlying cause can be multifactorial. Bronchoscopy allows the identification and management of LRTIs by allowing for the collection of lower respiratory tract specimens for microbiological evaluation. Bronchoscopy can provide valuable information about the diagnosis and management of LRTIs, as it can provide valuable information about the underlying pathology and the causative organism. The aim of this study is to investigate 99 broncho-alveolar lavages in LRTI patients, with a focus on broncho-alveolar lavage acid fast bacilli smear and gram stain culture sensitivity.
Methods: This study retrospectively analysed the bronchoscopy findings and microbiological profile of 99 patients with suspected LRTIs who underwent bronchoscopy at our institution.
Results: Out of the 99 patients included in the study, 59 underwent AFB smear evaluation for mycobacterium tuberculosis. Out of 59 patients, 40 patients tested negative for tuberculosis, while 19 patients were positive.
Out of 99 patients, 39 had no organisms grow in their BAL fluid culture, indicating that their pneumonia may have been caused by non-infectious factors such as aspiration or other non-infectious causes. However, 43 patients had positive cultures, with Klebsiella and Pseudomonas being the most common bacterial species identified. Fungal culture evaluation was performed in 17 patients, and only one patient was positive for aspergillus. Biopsy specimens were collected in 16 patients, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common finding. This suggests that some cases of pneumonia may be caused by underlying malignancies, which may have been missed by other diagnostic methods.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that bronchoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating lower respiratory tract infections. The study also highlights the prevalence of tuberculosis and bacterial species. Furthermore, the study suggests that some cases of pneumonia may be caused by non-infectious factors such as aspiration, as well as underlying malignancies such as squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach to identify the underlying cause of pneumonia and guide appropriate treatment.
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