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Table 2 Pathogens identified in patients with AEBA

From: Detection of pathogens by real-time PCR in adult patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma

Pathogen

Total

Real-time PCR

Conventional methods

p-Valuea

NPS

Sputum

Total

Any pathogen detected, n (%)

50 (78.1)

32 (50.0)

41 (64.1)

49 (76.6)

14 (21.9)

<0.001

 Single pathogen

39 (60.9)

28 (43.8)

36 (56.3)

39 (60.9)

13 (20.3)

<0.001

 Mixed pathogens

11 (17.2)

4 (6.3)

5 (7.8)

10 (15.6)

1 (1.6)

0.008

Viral pathogens, n (%)

28 (43.8)

25 (39.1)

17 (26.6)

28 (43.8)

7 (10.9)

<0.001

 Influenza virus

9 (14.1)

8 (12.5)

4 (6.3)

9 (14.1)

7 (10.9)

0.480

  Influenza virus A

6 (9.4)

6 (9.4)

2 (3.1)

6 (9.4)

5 (7.8)

1.000

  Influenza virus B

3 (4.7)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

3 (4.7)

2 (3.1)

1.000

 Rhinovirus

10 (15.6)

9 (14.1)

7 (10.9)

10 (15.6)

NA

–

 Respiratory syncytial virus

4 (6.3)

3 (4.7)

3 (4.7)

4 (6.3)

NA

–

  Subgroup A

3 (4.7)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

3 (4.7)

NA

–

  Subgroup B

1 (1.6)

1 (1.6)

1 (1.6)

1 (1.6)

NA

–

 Parainfluenzae virus

5 (7.8)

5 (7.8)

3 (4.7)

5 (7.8)

NA

–

  Subtype 1

3 (4.7)

3 (4.7)

1 (1.6)

3 (4.7)

NA

–

  Subtype 3

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

NA

–

Bacterial pathogens, n (%)

30 (46.9)

10 (15.6)

27 (42.2)

29 (45.3)

8 (12.5)

<0.001

  Haemophilus influenzae

17 (26.6)

4 (6.3)

17 (26.6)

17 (26.6)

2 (3.1)

<0.001

  Streptococcus pneumoniae

6 (9.4)

3 (4.7)

6 (9.4)

6 (9.4)

3 (4.7)

0.248

  Streptococcus pyogenes

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

2 (3.1)

1 (1.6)

1.000

  Mycoplasma pneumoniae

5 (7.8)

1 (1.6)

4 (6.3)

5 (7.8)

0

0.074

  Chlamydophila pneumoniae

1 (1.6)

1 (1.6)

0

1 (1.6)

NA

–

  Moraxella catarrhalis

2 (3.1)

ND

ND

ND

2 (3.1)

–

No pathogen detected

14 (21.9)

32 (50.0)

23 (35.9)

15 (23.4)

50 (78.1)

–

  1. Data are presented as the number (percentage) of patients
  2. AEBA acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, NA not applicable, NPS nasopharyngeal swab, PCR polymerase chain reaction
  3. aMcNemar’s test was used to compare groups for total pathogens found by PCR and conventional methods
  4. bSome overlap exists