In this study, we analysed the data of patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) to explore the aetiological distribution and drug resistance of pathogens, so as to enable a reasonable anti-infective treatment therapy and timely and effectively control the disease. We found that patients hospitalized with AECOPD were infected mainly with Gram-negative bacilli and with a higher rate of resistant strains of infection.