Bacteriology of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Background Bronchoalveolar lavage BAL is a valuable diagnostic tool for lower respiratory tract infections LRTIs obtained through a low-risk invasive method. Compared to non-invasive sampling methods BAL offers superior sensitivity and specificity.Aim To determine the bacteriological etiology of suspected LRTIs using BAL samples.Methods This observational prospective study included 75 BAL samples collected over a period of one year from adult patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital with suspected LRTIs. All suspected isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility was determined using Kirby-Bauer Disk diffusion method.Results Of the 75 BAL samples analyzed 33 44 demonstrated significant bacterial growth. All isolates were Gram-negative bacteria with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently identified pathogen followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most isolates exhibited high susceptibility to Carbapenems and Tigecycline while maximum resistance was observed against AmoxicillinClavulanate and Cefazolin. A total of four multidrug-resistant MDR isolates were identified of which three were Acinetobacter baumannii and one was K. pneumoniae.Conclusion This study confirmed the presence of pathogenic bacteria in BAL fluid from patients with suspected pulmonary infections highlighting the value of bronchoscopic sample collection as a key diagnostic tool. The presence of MDR bacteria is a significant concern and underscores the need for stringent infection control measures within healthcare settings to prevent their spread.