Question 14

What are the most likely bacterial pathogens responsible for ABECOPD?

Until now, it has been accepted that there are three primary pathogens responsible for exacerbations of COPD – S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae. Originally, treatment was aimed at these, but with increasing resistance to β-lactams, including penicillin and some cephalosporins, new therapeutic regimens were developed. This has resulted in the use of fluoroquinolones in treating ABECOPD in areas where local resistance patterns indicate that this is necessary.