Diagnosis and treatment of protracted bacterial bronchitis of children / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Protracted bacterial bronchitis ( PBB) is a common cause of children with chronic wet cough. It is defined by the presence of persistent wet cough for longer than 4 weeks,often accompanied by wheezing,but lacks of specific symptoms or signs suggestive of other alternative diagnosis of chronic cough. Airway malacia frequently coexists with PBB,and haemophilus influenzae and streptococcus pneumoniae are the most commonly identified pathogens. Neutrophilic inflammation is present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,and usually resolves with appropriate antibiotic treatment for two weeks(amoxicillin/clavulanate). By far,PBB hasn′t been fully recognized by most pediatricians in China. In this commentary, diagnosis and treatment were reviewed.