Changes in prevalence and load of airway bacteria using quantitative PCR in stable and exacerbated COPD

This study examined the prevalence and load of airway bacteria using multiplex quantitative PCR in 373 sputum samples from 134 patients with stable and exacerbated COPD, including the effect of typical bacteria on lung function in the stable state and at exacerbation. Typical airway bacteria included Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Lung function (FEV1) was measured using a Vitalograph wedge bellows spirometer.