Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by persistent airflow obstruction with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the air passages and the lung to noxious particles or gases. The intent of the present study was to obtain comprehensive insight into the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in sputum culture of AECOPD patients in our region.

Methods: A prospective observational study was held out in KMCT Medical College Hospital, Calicut which comprised of 240 patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from October 2016 to June 2017. Sputum culture and sensitivity reports were prospectively examined for the bacteriological profile and their antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance pattern.

Results: Our study shows 103 positive sputum cultures out of total 240 cases. Males (76.7%) are more often affected than females (23.3%). The prevalence of bacteria was 42.9%. 

Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest bacteria isolated (30.09%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29.1%). The drug sensitivity reveals that 61.2% of the isolates were sensitive to amikacin followed by ceftriaxone 51.45% and 48.54% of the isolates were sensitive to meropenem. High resistance rates were observed against ampicillin (42.8%). Increased severity of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was related to increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion: AECOPD is more usual in adults more than 60–79 years of age due to smoking habits and high indoor pollution. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in AECOPD patients, and amikacin was most effective antibiotic against most of the organisms. Amikacin should be the first line empirical antibiotic.