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Ocrospoma S, Restrepo MI. Severe aspiration pneumonia in the elderly. JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE MEDICINE 2024; 4:307-317. [PMID: 39035624 PMCID: PMC11258512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jointm.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The global population is aging at an unprecedented rate, resulting in a growing and vulnerable elderly population in need of efficient comprehensive healthcare services that include long-term care and skilled nursing facilities. In this context, severe aspiration pneumonia, a condition that carries substantial morbidity, mortality, and financial burden, especially among elderly patients requiring admission to the intensive care unit, has attracted greater concern. Aspiration pneumonia is defined as a pulmonary infection related to aspiration or dysphagia in etiology. Prior episodes of coughing on food or liquid intake, a history of relevant underlying conditions, abnormalities on videofluoroscopy or water swallowing, and gravity-dependent shadow distribution on chest imaging are among the clues that suggest aspiration. Patients with aspiration pneumonia tend to be elderly, frail, and suffering from more comorbidities than those without this condition. Here, we comprehensively address the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis of severe aspiration community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly to optimize care of this high-risk demographic, enhance outcomes, and minimize the healthcare costs associated with this illness. Emphasizing preventive measures and effective management strategies is vital in ensuring the well-being of our aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Ocrospoma
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Marcos I. Restrepo
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Abdel-Hamid RM, El-Mahallawy HA, Abdelfattah NE, Wassef MA. The impact of increasing non-albicans Candida trends on diagnostics in immunocompromised patients. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:2879-2892. [PMID: 37936026 PMCID: PMC10689626 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01163-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) represents a growing concern worldwide, with a considerable increase in non-albicans Candida (NAC) species. The study's primary goal was to determine if species identification by semi-nested PCR (sn-PCR) with primers for the five most prevalent Candida species is sufficient to deal with the current trends of Candida infections in cancer patients. Over one year, Candida isolates were collected from samples of patients with hematological and solid organ tumors in a single center. Species of Candida were identified by chromagar and multiplex sn-PCR using specific primers for Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and the Candida parapsilosis complex. Most Candida infection episodes are caused by NAC species (70.5% of 105 isolates). Rare species (14 isolates) accounted for 13.3% of isolates and were not identified by sn-PCR using the five most common Candida species primers. More than half of these rare species caused candidemia in cancer patients (57.1%; p = 0.011). The risk factor for candidiasis was recent surgeries (p = 0.020) in adults and chemotherapy in pediatric patients (p = 0.006). Prolonged hospitalization and genitourinary tract cancer were significantly associated with invasive infections (p = 0.005 and 0.049, respectively). Recent surgery was a significant risk factor associated with C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata infections (P = 0.038 and 0.003, respectively), while C. tropicalis was significantly more common in patients with hematological malignancies (P = 0.012). Techniques with a broader identification spectrum than the major five Candida species are crucial for the optimal management of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha M Abdel-Hamid
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Hadir A El-Mahallawy
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nesma E Abdelfattah
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona A Wassef
- Clinical & Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Markussen DL, Ebbesen M, Serigstad S, Knoop ST, Ritz C, Bjørneklett R, Kommedal Ø, Jenum S, Ulvestad E, Grewal HMS. The diagnostic utility of microscopic quality assessment of sputum samples in the era of rapid syndromic PCR testing. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0300223. [PMID: 37772853 PMCID: PMC10581175 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03002-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This prospective study assessed the value of initial microscopy evaluation of sputum samples submitted for rapid syndromic PCR-based testing. Bacterial detections by the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel plus in 126 high- and 108 low-quality sputum samples, based on initial microscopy evaluation in samples from patients with lower respiratory tract infections were compared. We found that high-quality samples had a higher proportion of bacterial detections compared to low-quality samples (P = 0.013). This included a higher proportion of detections of bacteria deemed clinically relevant by predefined criteria (70% and 55%, P = 0.016), as well as a higher proportion of detections of Haemophilus influenzae (36% and 20%, P = 0.010). High-quality samples also had more detections of bacteria with high semi-quantitative values. The study found no significant difference between high- and low-quality samples in the proportions of samples with a single species of bacteria detected, samples with a bacteria treated by the clinician, samples with detection of a proven etiology of community-acquired pneumonia by predefined criteria, the number of bacterial species detected, or the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that 40% (95% CI 35%-47%) of the bacterial detections would have been missed if only high-quality samples were analyzed. This included 41% (27%-56%) of detections of S. pneumoniae, 33% (23%-45%) of detections of H. influenzae, 42% (28%-58%) of detections of S. aureus, and 37% (23%-54%) of detections of M. catarrhalis. These findings suggest that all sputum samples submitted for rapid syndromic PCR testing should be analyzed, regardless of initial microscopy quality assessment. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT04660084.) IMPORTANCE Microscopic quality assessment of sputum samples was originally designed for sputum culture, and its applicability in today's workflow, which includes syndromic PCR testing, may differ. Addressing this crucial gap, our study emphasizes the need to optimize the use and workflow of syndromic PCR panels, like the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia plus (FAP plus), in microbiology laboratories. These advanced PCR-based tests offer rapid and comprehensive pathogen detection for respiratory infections, yet their full potential remains uncertain. By comparing bacterial detections in high- and low-quality sputum samples, we underscore the importance of including low-quality samples in testing. Our findings reveal a significant proportion of potentially clinically relevant bacterial detections that would have been missed if only high-quality samples were analyzed. These insights support the efficient implementation of syndromic PCR panels, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagfinn Lunde Markussen
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marit Ebbesen
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sondre Serigstad
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Christian Ritz
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune Bjørneklett
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øyvind Kommedal
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Synne Jenum
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elling Ulvestad
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Harleen M. S. Grewal
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Saleem M, Syed Khaja AS, Hossain A, Alenazi F, Said KB, Moursi SA, Almalaq HA, Mohamed H, Rakha E. Molecular Characterization and Antibiogram of Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates Recovered from the Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2210. [PMID: 36360551 PMCID: PMC9690950 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A 2-year prospective study carried out on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) patients in the intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), revealed a high prevalence of extremely drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii. About a 9% increase in the incidence rate of A. baumannii occurred in the VAP patients between 2019 and 2020 (21.4% to 30.7%). In 2019, the isolates were positive for IMP-1 and VIM-2 (31.1% and 25.7%, respectively) as detected by PCR. In comparison, a higher proportion of isolates produced NDM-1 in 2020. Here, we observed a high proportion of resistant ICU isolates towards the most common antibiotics in use. Colistin sensitivity dropped to 91.4% in the year 2020 as compared to 2019 (100%). Thus, the finding of this study has a highly significant clinical implementation in the clinical management strategies for VAP patients. Furthermore, strict implementation of antibiotic stewardship policies, regular surveillance programs for antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and screening for genes encoding drug resistance phenotypes have become imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Saleem
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ashfaque Hossain
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fahaad Alenazi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kamaleldin B. Said
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Soha Abdallah Moursi
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Homoud Abdulmohsin Almalaq
- Hail Health Cluster, King Khalid Hospital, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 55421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamza Mohamed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Rakha
- Laboratory Department, King Khalid Hospital, Hail 55421, Saudi Arabia
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 7650030, Egypt
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Zhang J, Li D, Huang X, Long S, Yu H. The Distribution of K. pneumoniae in Different Specimen Sources and Its Antibiotic Resistance Trends in Sichuan, China From 2017 to 2020. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:759214. [PMID: 35242771 PMCID: PMC8885598 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.759214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We aim to analyze the distribution of Klebsiella pneumoniae in different specimen sources and its antibiotic resistance trends from the Antimicrobial Resistant Investigation Network of Sichuan Province (ARINSP) between 2017 and 2020. Methods According to the monitoring scheme, each participating hospital identified the bacteria and performed antimicrobial susceptibility tests using approved procedures. The data of non-repetitive isolates collected from outpatients and inpatients were submitted to ARINSP. The WHONET 5.6 software was used to analyze the results according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results Between 2017 and 2020, 833,408 non-repetitive clinical isolates of bacteria were isolated in total. The bacterial strains isolated from sputum and broncho-alveolar lavage accounted for 48.7, 56.4, 49.2, and 43.7% from 2017 to 2020 respectively, among all sources. The number of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from sputum and broncho-alveolar lavage increased from 18,809 in 2018, 19,742 in 2019, to 19,376 in 2020, playing a predominant role among all specimens. Meropenem-resistant K. pneumoniae occurrences (5.7% in 2017, 7.3% in 2018, 8.0% in 2019, and 7.5% in 2020) remained highest among carbapenems, and increased slightly over time. The resistance rate to tigecycline remained lowest, and declined from 2.4% in 2017, to 0.4% in 2018, and from 0.7% in 2019, to 0.6% in 2020. Conclusion The overall resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to carbapenems increased in Sichuan Province, giving a significant challenge to control K. pneumoniae related infections. Tigecycline has retained activity to against K. pneumoniae. Ongoing surveillance is essential. It can help for implementing intervention programs to reduce the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and to provide with a rational use of antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Center Hospital of Qionglai City, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangning Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shanshan Long
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Serigstad S, Markussen D, Grewal HMS, Ebbesen M, Kommedal Ø, Heggelund L, van Werkhoven CH, Faurholt-Jepsen D, Clark TW, Ritz C, Ulvestad E, Bjørneklett R, Knoop ST. Rapid syndromic PCR testing in patients with respiratory tract infections reduces time to results and improves microbial yield. Sci Rep 2022; 12:326. [PMID: 35013351 PMCID: PMC8748978 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03741-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of rapid and comprehensive microbiological diagnosis in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) hampers appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This study evaluates the real-world performance of the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia panel plus (FAP plus) and explores the feasibility of evaluation in a randomised controlled trial. Patients presenting to hospital with suspected CAP were recruited in a prospective feasibility study. An induced sputum or an endotracheal aspirate was obtained from all participants. The FAP plus turnaround time (TAT) and microbiological yield were compared with standard diagnostic methods (SDs). 96/104 (92%) enrolled patients had a respiratory tract infection (RTI); 72 CAP and 24 other RTIs. Median TAT was shorter for the FAP plus, compared with in-house PCR (2.6 vs 24.1 h, p < 0.001) and sputum cultures (2.6 vs 57.5 h, p < 0.001). The total microbiological yield by the FAP plus was higher compared to SDs (91% (162/179) vs 55% (99/179), p < 0.0001). Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus were the most frequent pathogens. In conclusion, molecular panel testing in adults with CAP was associated with a significant reduction in time to actionable results and increased microbiological yield. The impact on antibiotic use and patient outcome should be assessed in randomised controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Serigstad
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway
| | - D Markussen
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - H M S Grewal
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - M Ebbesen
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ø Kommedal
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - L Heggelund
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Internal Medicine, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - C H van Werkhoven
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D Faurholt-Jepsen
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T W Clark
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - C Ritz
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway.,National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Ulvestad
- Department of Clinical Science, Bergen Integrated Diagnostic Stewardship Cluster, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, The New Lab. Building, NO-5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - R Bjørneklett
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - S T Knoop
- Emergency Care Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Schoevaerdts D, Sibille FX, Gavazzi G. Infections in the older population: what do we know? Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:689-701. [PMID: 31656032 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01375-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of infections increases with age and results in a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. This rise is not mainly related to chronological age per se but has been linked mostly to individual factors such as immunosenescence; the presence of comorbidities; the occurrence of geriatric syndromes such as poor nutrition, polypharmacy, and cognitive disorders; and the presence of functional impairment concomitant with environmental, healthcare-related and microbiological factors such as the increasing risk of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The geriatric concept of frailty introduces a new approach for considering the risk of infection; this concept highlights the importance of functional status and is a more comprehensive and multicomponent approach that may help to reverse the vulnerability to stress. The aim of this article is to provide some typical hallmarks of infections among older adults in comparison to younger individuals. The main differences among the older population that are presented are an increased prevalence of infections and potential risk factors, a higher risk of carrying multidrug-resistant microorganisms, an increase in barriers to a prompt diagnosis related to atypical presentations and challenges with diagnostic tools, a higher risk of under- and over-diagnosis, a worse prognosis with a higher risk of acute and chronic complications and a particular need for better communication among all healthcare sectors as they are closely linked together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Schoevaerdts
- Geriatric Department, CHU UCL Namur, Site Godinne, Avenue Dr. Gaston Thérasse, 1, B-5530, Yvoir, Belgium.
| | - François-Xavier Sibille
- Geriatric Department, CHU UCL Namur, Site Godinne, Avenue Dr. Gaston Thérasse, 1, B-5530, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Gaetan Gavazzi
- Geriatric Department, CHU UCL Namur, Site Godinne, Avenue Dr. Gaston Thérasse, 1, B-5530, Yvoir, Belgium
- Service Gériatrie Clinique, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Grenoble-Alpes, Avenue Central 621, 38400, Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France
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Fally M, Israelsen S, Anhøj J, Benfield T, Tarp B, Kolte L, Ravn P. The increasing importance of Haemophilus influenzae in community-acquired pneumonia: results from a Danish cohort study. Infect Dis (Lond) 2020; 53:122-130. [PMID: 33231116 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2020.1846776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have shown that the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) varies considerably among different healthcare settings. Because empiric therapies for CAP should cover the major pathogens, reports examining CAP aetiology are considered crucial, particularly in Nordic countries that still rely on penicillin G or V treatments for most patients with CAP. The primary objective of our study was to report CAP aetiology. Secondary objectives included the estimation of positivity rates for different tests and the odds of a positive test for various subgroups. METHODS In this cohort study, microbiological data were analysed for an overall cohort (variable degree of microbiological testing) and for a subgroup that was tested for both, bacteria, viruses and fungi, using routine methods (defined as extensive testing). RESULTS The overall cohort comprised 2,264 patients, including 315 who were extensively tested. Bacterial and viral monoinfections were the most commonly identified infections. The dominant pathogen identified among extensively tested patients was Haemophilus influenzae (23.7%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (20.6%). The tests with the highest positivity rates were sputum cultures (34.7%) and viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR, 24.4%). The odds of achieving a microbiological diagnosis increased significantly when extensive testing was performed compared with selective testing (OR 2.86, 95% CI 2.24-3.64). CONCLUSION Our study indicated that H. influenzae is the dominant responsible pathogen for bacterial CAP in Denmark. Thus, we believe that the current treatment recommendations that encourage the use of penicillin G or V for the majority of patients with CAP need to be revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Fally
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section for Pulmonary Diseases, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Simone Israelsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amager Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jacob Anhøj
- Centre of Diagnostic Investigation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Benfield
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amager Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Britta Tarp
- Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Lilian Kolte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Pernille Ravn
- Supervisor Department of Internal Medicine, Section for Infectious Diseases, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
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