Tehran University Medical Journal

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Aim: It is believed that sampling of the lower airways by BAL in complicated patients with pulmonary infection is often contaminated with upper airways microorganisms. The aim of this study was to assess the value of this procedure and probability of contamination of samples by upper airways flora. Methods: In a prospective study 40 consecutive patients which were candidate for broncholaveolar lavage were choosen for the study, and cultures were obtained from oropharyngeal and peripheral pulmonary airways, respectively. Results: Data showed two different groups of patients, distinctive by wether they have normal flora (group one 55% of total) or they have pathogenic microorganisms (group two, 45% of total). Group one had the normal flora in their upper airway tract, while only half of these group showed the same organisms in their lower airway tract, and the rest had negative cultures of the lower airways. The majority of second group had pathogenic microorganisms in their lower airway tract, while only half of them had negative cultures of the upper airways. Conclusion: We assume that the origin of pulmonary infection in our patients is from the peripheral airways. Thus sampling of the lower airways is representative of the actual pathogen, and we recommend that in order to rule out the suspicion of contamination by the upper airway organisms, simultaneous sampling of the upper airways should be obtained. Thus the application of sophisticated sampling methods and their cost effectiveness must be more investigated in view of the efficacy of our simple and inexpensive and practical method

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