Bacterial Infection and Some Effects of Chemoprophylaxis in Chronic Pulmonary Emphysema1, 2

Observations of the bacterial flora of the sputum in a group of patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and the effects of chemoprophylaxis with tetracycline, 2 gm. per day for two days each week, have previously been reported from this service (1). A detailed review of the observations by other investigators on the bacterial flora of the sputum and bronchial secretions, the effects of chemoprophylaxis, and the importance of Hemophilus infiuenzae in such patients were included in that report. It is the purpose of this study to extend these earlier observations, to observe the effects of a more intensive chemoprophylactic regimen, and to assess more fully the role of H. infiuenzae in the acute episodes that occur during the course of chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. A daily chemoprophylactic regimen using chloramphenicol (a drug that is highly effective against H. infiuenzae) has been chosen for the current study.