Bronchiectasis: A Microbiological Profile in a Teaching Hospital in Benin City, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by the irreversible dilation and damage of the bronchial walls, leading to chronic cough, sputum production, and recurrent respiratory infections. The condition is often underdiagnosed, particularly in resource-limited settings, where the microbiological profile remains poorly characterized. In Nigeria, the management of bronchiectasis is further complicated by limited healthcare resources. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the microbiological profile of patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the medical records of 66 patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Inclusion criteria were a confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis based on chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan findings, along with the availability of microbiological culture results. Relevant data on patients' demographic characteristics and microbiological isolates were extracted and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Results: Klebsiella spp. was the most frequently isolated pathogen (30.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18.2%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.1%). The patient population had a mean age of 58.62 years, with a slight female predominance (53.0%). Conclusion: The predominance of Klebsiella spp. among bronchiectasis patients in our study mirrors findings from other resource-limited settings, where healthcare-associated infections are common. Recurrent hospitalizations and long-term antibiotic exposure may predispose patients to colonization by resistant organisms. Therefore, there is need for localized antimicrobial protocols and greater access to diagnostic microbiology in resource-limited settings.