Baseline levels.

Numerical data were presented as mean ± standard deviation for normal distribution or otherwise median (interquartile range). Categorical data were expressed as number (percentage) and compared with chi-square test.PPM: potentially pathogenic microorganism* Other known etiologies encompassed asthma (n = 7, 5.2%), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (n = 2, 1.5%), Katargener's syndrome (n = 2, 1.5%), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 2, 1.5%), lung maldevelopement (n = 2, 1.5%), COPD (n = 1, 0.7%), Young's syndrome (n = 1, 0.7%), lung sequestration (n = 1, 0.7%), yellow nail syndrome (n = 1, 0.7%), aspergilloma (n = 1, 0.7%) and eosinophilic bronchiolitis (n = 1, 0.7%). The total number of these counts slightly exceeded that of the table because a minority of patients had dual etiologies.** Other pathogenic bacteria included Hemophilus influenzae (n = 12, 8.9%), Hemoohilus parainfluenzae (n = 13, 9.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3, 2.2%), Klebsiella pneumonae (n = 3, 2.2%), Stenotrophic maltophilia (n = 2, 1.5%), Escherichia colitis (n = 1, 0.7%), Klebsiella ozaenae (n = 1, 0.7%), Alcaligenes faecalis subsp faecalis (n = 1, 0.7%), Psedumonas pseudoalcaligenes (n = 1, 0.7%) and Serratia marcescens (n = 1, 0.7%).Data in boldface indicated statistical significance.No patient was on long-term oral or inhaled antibiotics.Baseline levels.