Abstract

Background: One of the causes of AECOPD is bacterial infection. Increased bacterial colonization may trigger activation of macrophages so that there is an increase in the number of inflammatory mediators, one of which is Interleukin-8 (IL-8). Elevation of IL-8 serum levels may worsen the symptoms of COPD. This study measured IL-8 serum levels in subjects who had exacerbations.
Methods: An analytical research with Cross Sectional design. The reseacrh subjects were AECOPD patients who visited Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. Sputum culture was examined to assess the type of bacterial colonization and serum examinated to asses the Interleukin-8 serum levels.
Results: The subjects were 65 patients. AECOPD is generally found in 62 men (95.4%), most were age>60 years 48 patients (73.8%). For severity we found 52 patients were categorized as group D (80%). The highest number of subjects with bacterial colonization was 55 (84.65). From the subjects with bacterial colonization we found Gram negative 36 (55.4%). The most types of bacterials were Pseudomonas Aeroginosa with 16 patients (24.65) and Klebsiella Pneumonia in 12 patients (18.5%). Mean IL-8 serum levels 187.5±68.3. IL-8 serum levels were found highest in subjects who had bacterial colonization 9197.7 ± 68.5; p0.05).
Discussion: In this research, there was a significant correlation between colonization of Gram-negative bacteria with high IL-8 serum levels. These results are consistent with several studies which report that bacterial colonization is associated with an increased IL-8 serum levels and correlates with deterioration in pulmonary function and severity of COPD.

Key words: Chronic Obstructive Exacerbation Pulmonary Disease, Bacterial Colonization, Interleukin-8