HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: thx.2006.058933v1 62/1/80    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Donnelly, D. Articles by Everard, M. L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Donnelly, D. Articles by Everard, M. L

Outcomes in children treated for persistent bacterial bronchitis

Paediatric Respiratory Unit, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M L Everard
Paediatric Respiratory Unit, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK; m.l.everard{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Background: Persistent bacterial bronchitis (PBB) seems to be under-recognised and often misdiagnosed as asthma. In the absence of published data relating to the management and outcomes in this patient group, a review of the outcomes of patients with PBB attending a paediatric respiratory clinic was undertaken.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 81 patients in whom a diagnosis of PBB had been made. Diagnosis was based on the standard criterion of a persistent, wet cough for >1 month that resolves with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Results: The most common reason for referral was a persistent cough or difficult asthma. In most of the patients, symptoms started before the age of 2 years, and had been present for >1 year in 59% of patients. At referral, 59% of patients were receiving asthma treatment and 11% antibiotics. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most commonly isolated organisms. Over half of the patients were completely symptom free after two courses of antibiotics. Only 13% of patients required 6 courses of antibiotics.

Conclusion: PBB is often misdiagnosed as asthma, although the two conditions may coexist. In addition to eliminating a persistent cough, treatment may also prevent progression to bronchiectasis. Further research relating to both diagnosis and treatment is urgently required.

Abbreviations: HRCT, high-resolution computed tomography; LRTI, lower respiratory tract infection; PBB, persistent bacterial bronchitis; PCD, polycystic disease

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Bakirtas, I. Turktas, D Donnelly, A Critchlow, and M L Everard Which children with persistent cough should be regarded as persistent bacterial bronchitis? Thorax, October 1, 2007; 62(10): 921 - 922. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Byrnes, E. Edwards, D Donnelly, A Critchlow, and M L Everard Outcomes in children treated for persistent bacterial bronchitis Thorax, October 1, 2007; 62(10): 922 - 923. [Full Text] [PDF]