Dictionary of Allergies .. Recurrent acute bronchitis

Recurrent acute bronchitis,

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) affect a significant proportion of the adult population worldwide and are associated with a substantial socioeconomic burden. The majority of episodes of AECB are bacterial in aetiology and patients are generally treated empirically with orally administered antibacterial agents.

Guidelines for the management of AECB have been developed by a number of national health authorities and international organisations, with the aim of promoting rational selection of antibacterial therapy to minimise the risk of treatment failure and subsequent hospitalisation while containing the development and spread of antibacterial resistance [1]. The incidence of mild bronchial asthma was found markedly increased in patients with a history of recurrent acute bronchitis over that seen in the general population.

These results emphasize the need to investigate an underlying cause in patients with recurrent acute bronchitis [2].

References

1. Blasi F, Ewig S, Torres A, Huchon G. A review of guidelines for antibacterial use in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2006;19(5):361-9. Epub 2005 Nov 10.

2. Hallett, J.S., Jacobs, R.L.: Recurrent acute bronchitis: the association with undiagnosed bronchial asthma. Ann. Allergy 55, No. 4, p. 568. 1985.