In the event sputum microbiology shows P. aeruginosa, it's essential that the laboratory describe whether the strain is mucoid or nonmucoid—something many large national laboratories are reluctant to do. “As soon as a patient acquires a mucoid strain as the predominant organism, the time to mortality definitely quickens,” she said.
Periodic sputum analyses are also done to survey for the presence of a chronic nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing has been a controversial issue. New American Thoracic Society guidelines to come out later this year will for the first time call for routine susceptibility testing in individuals with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection, said Dr. Huitt.
Bronchiectasis is far more common in primary care settings than most physicians realize. DR. HUITT
High-resolution chest CT, the diagnostic cornerstone, shows permanently dilated, grossly distorted bronchi and bronchioles. National Jewish Medical and Research Center