Clinical, laboratory findings and microbiologic characterization of bronchiectasis in Thai patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to characterize the clinical features, underlying disease states, laboratory findings and microbiological characterization of bronchiectasis in Thai patients.

METHODOLOGY

For a 2-year period all consecutive patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, were recruited. Data including history, physical examination, underlying disease and laboratory studies were carefully reviewed and recorded.

RESULTS

Fifty patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis were enrolled. Their mean age was 58 years. The most common background aetiology was tuberculosis. Six per cent of the patients were diagnosed as having diffuse panbronchiolitis. Normal chest radiographs were found in 10%. The common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), Haemophilus influenzae (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (6%). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria which included Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium chelonae were found in 6%.

CONCLUSION

We report the characteristics of bronchiectasis in Thai patients. The most common identifiable aetiology was tuberculosis.