The bacteriology of chronic destructive pneumonia.

Thirty-four patients with chronic destructive pneumonia (CDP) were investigated bacteriologically and mycologically; specimens were obtained by transtracheal aspiration, percutaneous lung puncture, and open lung biopsy. Anaerobes were isolated in the absence of aerobes in 1 case while specimens from 9 patients yielded aerobes only. In 16 patients both groups of organisms were cultured. Streptococcus viridans was isolated in 12 cases and fungi in 2 cases. Specimens from 8 patients were sterile on culture. All patients had been treated with various antibiotic combinations before specimens were taken. Aerobes, particularly Gram-positive cocci, and anaerobes probably play an important synergistic role in the pathogenesis of CDP.