In bronchiectasis, which organism is most commonly associated in non-cystic fibrosis patients?

• A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• B. Haemophilus influenzae
• C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
• D. Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer: (B)

Bronchiectasis creates damaged airways with impaired mucociliary clearance, allowing bacteria to chronically colonize and drive ongoing inflammation. In patients without cystic fibrosis, Haemophilus influenzae is the organism most commonly isolated from sputum and seen as a persistent colonizer in this setting, both during stability and during exacerbations. It fits the typical pattern of bronchiectasis in adults, where this bacterium predominates as the usual chronic pathogen. Pseudomonas aeruginosa tends to appear more in more advanced disease and carries a worse prognosis, while Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae are less commonly the main persistent pathogens in non-CF bronchiectasis.