What is the Best Antimicrobial Treatment for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia (Including the Role of Steroids and Statins and Other Immunomodulatory Agents)

Association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, high‑density lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular health (Review)

The association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection, high-density lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease is an emerging research area. The present review summarizes the basic characteristics of M. pneumoniae infection and its association with high-density lipoprotein and cardiovascular health. M. pneumoniae primarily invades the respiratory tract and damages the cardiovascular system through various mechanisms including adhesion, invasion, secretion of metabolites, production of autoantibodies and stimulation of cytokine production. Additionally, the present review highlights the potential role of high-density lipoprotein for the development of prevention and intervention of M. pneumoniae infection and cardiovascular disease, and provides suggestions for future research directions and clinical practice. It is urgent to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the association between M. pneumoniae infection, high-density lipoprotein metabolism, and cardiovascular disease and analyze the roles of the immune system and inflammatory response.

Association of Serum Albumin and Copeptin with Early Clinical Deterioration and Instability in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Background: There is a paucity of data on biomarkers for the early deterioration and clinical instability of patients in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as treatment failure occurs in the first seven days in 90% of patients. Aim: To evaluate serum albumin and copeptin with CURB-65, PSI scoring and ATS/IDSA minor criteria for the prediction of early mortality or ICU-admission (7 days) and clinical instability after 72 h. Methods: In 100 consecutive hospitalized adult CAP patients, PSI-scores, CURB-65 scores, ATS/IDSA 2007 minor criteria, copeptin and albumin on admission were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors for early combined mortality or ICU admission. Predictive powers of albumin and copeptin were tested with ROC curves and ICU-free survival probability was tested using Kaplan−Meier analysis. Results: Albumin was lower and copeptin higher in patients with short-term adverse outcomes (p < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that albumin [HR (95% CI): 0.41 (0.18−0.94, p = 0.034)] and copeptin [HR (95% CI): 1.94 (1.03−3.67, p = 0.042)] were independent risk factors for early combined mortality or ICU admission (7 days). The Kaplan−Meier analysis observed that high copeptin (>27.12 ng/mL) and low albumin levels (<2.85 g/dL) had a lower (p < 0.001) survival probability. The diagnostic accuracy of albumin was better than copeptin. The inclusion of albumin and copeptin into ATS/IDSA minor criteria significantly improved their predictive power. Conclusions: Both biomarkers serum albumin and copeptin can predict early deterioration and clinical instability in hospitalized CAP patients and increase the prognostic power of the traditional clinical scoring systems.

Severe pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction complicated with pericarditis after percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

BACKGROUND

Cases of severe pneumonia complicated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with good prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are rare, especially those with postoperative pericarditis and intestinal obstruction.

CASE SUMMARY

A 53-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital because of paroxysmal chest tightness for 4 d, aggravated with chest pain for 12 h. The symptoms, electrocardiography, biochemical parameters, echocardiography and chest computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of severe pneumonia complicated with AMI. The patient was treated with antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulation, lipid regulation, vasodilation, anti-infective agents and direct PCI. The patient was discharged after 3 wk of treatment. Follow-up showed that the patient was asymptomatic without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

For patients with severe pneumonia complicated with AMI, PCI and antibiotic therapy is a life-saving strategy.

Clinical spectrum, etiology and outcome of infectious disease emergencies in adult diabetic patients in northern India

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased incidence of both common and unusual infections. Despite an increasing prevalence of DM in India, local data on the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of associated infections are lacking. We aimed to investigate the spectrum, etiology, and outcome of infectious disorders in adult patients with DM admitted in a medical emergency.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective observational study conducted between January 2018 to June 2019 in a tertiary care hospital in north India. Based on clinical presentation, radiological features, and microbiological or pathological evidence, 152 diabetic patients aged 12 years and above were diagnosed with the infectious syndrome.

RESULTS

Urinary tract infection was the most prevalent infectious syndrome (32.2%), followed by pneumonia and empyema (26.3%), skin and soft tissue infections (6.6%), sepsis of unknown primary source (6.6%), pulmonary tuberculosis (4.6%), rhinocerebral infections (4.6%), infectious diarrhea (3.9%), and viral encephalitis (2.6%). The majority of the infections were community-acquired (94.7%). 80.3% of study cases had type 2 DM. The common presenting symptoms were fever (46.1%), dyspnea (27.6%), and altered sensorium (25.7%). Shock and diabetic ketoacidosis were frequent, and each was seen in 27.6% of cases. The mortality rate was 27.6% and was higher with sepsis of unrecognized source (50.0%) and lung infections (30.0%). The presence of shock was the independent predictor of mortality on a multivariant analysis (p-value 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary tract and lung infections remain common in DM. Establishing a microbiological etiology and identification of the source are necessary steps to reduce mortality.

Prevalence and risk factors for Enterobacteriaceae in patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Enterobacteriaceae (EB) spp. family is known to include potentially multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms, and remains as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and specific risk factors associated with EB and MDR-EB in a cohort of hospitalized adults with CAP.

METHODS

We performed a multinational, point-prevalence study of adult patients hospitalized with CAP. MDR-EB was defined when ≥3 antimicrobial classes were identified as non-susceptible. Risk factors assessment was also performed for patients with EB and MDR-EB infection.

RESULTS

Of the 3193 patients enrolled with CAP, 197 (6%) had a positive culture with EB. Fifty-one percent (n = 100) of EB were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 19% (n = 38) had MDR-EB. The most commonly EB identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 111, 56%) and Escherichia coli (n = 56, 28%). The risk factors that were independently associated with EB CAP were male gender, severe CAP, underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5) and prior extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) infection. Additionally, prior ESBL infection, being underweight, cardiovascular diseases and hospitalization in the last 12 months were independently associated with MDR-EB CAP.

CONCLUSION

This study of adults hospitalized with CAP found a prevalence of EB of 6% and MDR-EB of 1.2%, respectively. The presence of specific risk factors, such as prior ESBL infection and being underweight, should raise the clinical suspicion for EB and MDR-EB in patients hospitalized with CAP.

International prevalence and risk factors evaluation for drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent bacterial pathogen isolated in subjects with Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. Limited data are available regarding the current global burden and risk factors associated with drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) in CAP subjects. We assessed the multinational prevalence and risk factors for DRSP-CAP in a multinational point-prevalence study.

DESIGN

The prevalence of DRSP-CAP was assessed by identification of DRSP in blood or respiratory samples among adults hospitalized with CAP in 54 countries. Prevalence and risk factors were compared among subjects that had microbiological testing and antibiotic susceptibility data. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors independently associated with DRSP-CAP.

RESULTS

3,193 subjects were included in the study. The global prevalence of DRSP-CAP was 1.3% and continental prevalence rates were 7.0% in Africa, 1.2% in Asia, and 1.0% in South America, Europe, and North America, respectively. Macrolide resistance was most frequently identified in subjects with DRSP-CAP (0.6%) followed by penicillin resistance (0.5%). Subjects in Africa were more likely to have DRSP-CAP (OR: 7.6; 95%CI: 3.34-15.35, p<0.001) when compared to centres representing other continents.

CONCLUSIONS

This multinational point-prevalence study found a low global prevalence of DRSP-CAP that may impact guideline development and antimicrobial policies.

Burden and risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa community-acquired pneumonia: a multinational point prevalence study of hospitalised patients

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a challenging bacterium to treat due to its intrinsic resistance to the antibiotics used most frequently in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Data about the global burden and risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP are limited. We assessed the multinational burden and specific risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP.We enrolled 3193 patients in 54 countries with confirmed diagnosis of CAP who underwent microbiological testing at admission. Prevalence was calculated according to the identification of P. aeruginosa Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP.The prevalence of P. aeruginosa and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP was 4.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The rate of P. aeruginosa CAP in patients with prior infection/colonisation due to P. aeruginosa and at least one of the three independently associated chronic lung diseases (i.e. tracheostomy, bronchiectasis and/or very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was 67%. In contrast, the rate of P. aeruginosa-CAP was 2% in patients without prior P. aeruginosa infection/colonisation and none of the selected chronic lung diseases.The multinational prevalence of P. aeruginosa-CAP is low. The risk factors identified in this study may guide healthcare professionals in deciding empirical antibiotic coverage for CAP patients.

HDL-c levels predict the presence of pleural effusion and the clinical outcome of community-acquired pneumonia

Objectives

To investigate if HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) could be a biomarker of the degree of severity according to prognostic prediction scores in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or the development of clinical complications such as pleural effusion.

Methods

We included in a retrospective study 107 patients admitted to the hospital that fulfilled diagnostic criteria for CAP between the 30th October 2011 and 1st September 2012. HDL-c levels at admission, CAP prognosis scores (PSI and CURB65) and clinical outcomes were recorded for the study.

Results

Basal HDL-c levels were not statistically different according to prognostics scores neither PSI nor CURB-65. Significantly lower levels of HDL-c were also associated to the development of septic shock and admission to the intensive care unit. HDL-c were inversely correlated with acute phase reactants CRP (r = −0.585, P < 0.001), ESR (r = −0.477, P < 0.001), and leukocytes cell count (r = −0.254, P < 0.009). Patients with pleural effusion showed significant lower levels of HDL-c [28.9 (15.5) mg/dl vs. 44.6 (21.1) mg/dl]; P = 0.007. HDL-c is a good predictor of the presence of pleural effusion in multivariate analyses and using ROC analyses [AUC = 0.712 (0.591–0.834), P = 0.006]. HDL-c levels of 10 mg/dl showed a sensitivity of 97.6 % and a specificity of 82.4 % for the presence of pleural effusion.

Conclusion

Monitoring HDL-c in CAP is an useful serum marker of acute phase response, clinical outcome and the presence of pleural effusion.

Global initiative for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (GLIMP): an international, observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance is a major global health problem and pathogens such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become of particular concern in the management of lower respiratory tract infections. However, few data are available on the worldwide prevalence and risk factors for MRSA pneumonia. We aimed to determine the point prevalence of MRSA pneumonia and identify specific MRSA risk factors in community-dwelling patients hospitalised with pneumonia.

METHODS

We did an international, multicentre study of community-dwelling, adult patients admitted to hospital with pneumonia who had microbiological tests taken within 24 h of presentation. We recruited investigators from 222 hospitals in 54 countries to gather point-prevalence data for all patients admitted with these characteristics during 4 days randomly selected during the months of March, April, May, and June in 2015. We assessed prevalence of MRSA pneumonia and associated risk factors through logistic regression analysis.

FINDINGS

3702 patients hospitalised with pneumonia were enrolled, with 3193 patients receiving microbiological tests within 24 h of admission, forming the patient population. 1173 (37%) had at least one pathogen isolated (culture-positive population). The overall prevalence of confirmed MRSA pneumonia was 3·0% (n=95), with differing prevalence between continents and countries. Three risk factors were independently associated with MRSA pneumonia: previous MRSA infection or colonisation (odds ratio 6·21, 95% CI 3·25-11·85), recurrent skin infections (2·87, 1·10-7·45), and severe pneumonia disease (2·39, 1·55-3·68).

INTERPRETATION

This multicountry study shows low prevalence of MRSA pneumonia and specific MRSA risk factors among community-dwelling patients hospitalised with pneumonia.

FUNDING

None.

Serum and exhaled breath condensate inflammatory cytokines in community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective cohort study

Background

The role and relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines represents one of the least studied aspects of the pathogenesis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of the present study was to evaluate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines at both local (lung) and systemic (blood) levels and their relationship with the severity of the disease on admission and time for a patient to reach clinical stability during hospitalisation.

Methods

This was an observational, prospective, cohort study of hospitalised patients with a diagnosis of CAP at the IRCCS Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy, between April 2010 and January 2012. Ten pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]α and interferon [IFN]γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were measured in both serum and exhaled breath condensate within 24 h after hospital admission.

Results

A total of 74 patients (median age: 76 years; gender: 61 % male) were enrolled. The anti- to pro-inflammatory cytokine ratio was reduced in patients with severe disease on admission and prolonged time to reach clinical stability. This was due to lower levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the exhaled breath condensate and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum.

Conclusions

Dis-regulation between pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways might be a part of the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to severe infection and worse early clinical outcomes in CAP patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s41479-016-0009-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk factors and antibiotic therapy in P. aeruginosa community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Current guidelines recommend empirical treatment against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients with specific risk factors. However, evidence to support these recommendations is limited. We evaluate the risk factors and the impact of antimicrobial therapy in patients hospitalized with CAP due to P. aeruginosa.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective population-based study of >150 hospitals. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of CAP and P. aeruginosa was identified as the causative pathogen. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the presence of risk factors and 30-day mortality as the dependent measures.

RESULTS

Seven hundred eighty-one patients with P. aeruginosa pneumonia were identified in a cohort of 62 689 patients with pneumonia (1.1%). Of these, 402 patients (0.6%) were included in the study and 379 (0.5%) were excluded due to health care-associated pneumonia or immunosuppression. In patients with CAP due to P. aeruginosa, 272 (67.8%) had no documented risk factors. These patients had higher rates of dementia and cerebrovascular disease. Empirical antibiotic therapy against P. aeruginosa within the first 48 h of presentation was independently associated with lower 30-day mortality in patients with CAP due to P. aeruginosa (hazard ratio (HR) 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.76) and in patients without risk factors for P. aeruginosa CAP (HR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.21-0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factor recommended by current guidelines only detect one third of the patients admitted with CAP due to P. aeruginosa. Risk factors did not define the whole benefit observed due to empirical therapy covering P. aeruginosa.