Sarmand N, et al. - Researchers investigated the presence of bacterial colonization in bronchial secretions after bronchoscopic valve implantation among selected patients with severe lung emphysema. An increased bacterial colonization was observed in the long term after valve implantation.

Methods

• In order to determine the presence or change of bacterial growth before and after valve implantation, researchers analyzed the bronchial secretions of patients with severe lung emphysema.

Results

• In this analysis, the researchers included 144 patients who underwent bronchoscopic follow-up after valve implantatio.
• Only 7/144 consecutive emphysema patients (5%) showed evidence of bacterial colonization, while 137 patients (95%) did not reveal any bacterial growth prior to valve placement.
• After valve implantation, 107/137 patients (78%) presented with new bacterial growth.
• Evidence of Viridans streptococci, Rothia mucilaginousa and Neisseria species simultaneously, as bacterial colonization was noted among almost 38% of the patients who presented with a new bacterial growth.
• Pathogenic bacterial growth for Staphylococcus aureus (18%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (9%) microorganisms was recorded.
• Furthermore, there was a significant bacterial growth by Moraxella catarrhalis (26%) and anaerobic bacteria (23%), particularly in patients with complete atelectasis after successful endoscopic lung volume reduction.
• The presented initial bacterial colonization showed a change in the flora after bronchoscopy valve implantation for all of the 7 patients.