Bordetella bronchiseptica isolation in chronic respiratory conditions: infection or colonization?

Abstract

We report two cases of Bordetella bronchiseptica isolation from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with pre-existing lung conditions. Case 1 describes a 75-year-old male with COPD, organizing pneumonia on high-dose steroids, and presenting hemoptysis with acute pulmonary consolidations on CT, who was successfully treated with targeted antibiotics. Case 2 describes a 71-year-old female with long-standing bronchiectasis and prior non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease presenting with a persistent dry cough and new tree-in-bud opacities, managed conservatively without antimicrobial therapy. Specific interpretive breakpoints for clinical decision-making concerning the isolation of B. bronchiseptica are lacking; therefore, management remains challenging.