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pubmed:abstractText |
In addition to bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory therapy, exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often treated with antibiotics. Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, two important respiratory pathogens, may produce beta-lactamase which makes them resistant to ampicillin. Surveillance studies conducted in various countries have shown an increasing incidence of these beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Although this may simply be a consequence of the increasing use of antibiotics, it is possible that other factors are important. A study was undertaken to investigate whether clinical factors are related to the presence of beta-lactamase forming bacteria in the sputum of patients with COPD.
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