New aspects in the management of pneumonia

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive corticosteroids in the treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP).

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted using the Medline, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus databases for articles published until April 24, 2023. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of adjunctive corticosteroids for treating sCAP were included. The primary outcome was the 30-day all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of severe RCTs involving 1689 patients were included in this study. Overall, the study group had a lower mortality rate at day 30 than the control group (risk ratio [RR], 0.61; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.85; p < 0.01) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.42). Compared to the control group, the study group had a lower risk of the requirement of mechanical ventilation (RR 0.57; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.73; p < 0.001), shorter length of intensive care unit (MD - 0.8; 95% CI - 1.4 to - 0.1; p = 0.02), and hospital stay (MD - 1.1; 95% CI - 2.0 to - 0.1; p = 0.04). Finally, no significant difference was observed between the study and the control groups in terms of gastrointestinal tract bleeding (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.49 to 2.18; p = 0.93), healthcare-associated infection (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.32; p = 0.56), and acute kidney injury (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.21 to 2.26; p = 0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with sCAP, adjunctive corticosteroids can provide survival benefits and improve clinical outcomes without increasing adverse events. However, because the pooled evidence remains inconclusive, further studies are required.

Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency (CIRCI) Among Patients with COVID-19 at a Tertiary Hospital: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Among critically ill patients, there is usually impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to a condition known as critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). This investigation aims to determine the incidence of and characterize CIRCI among patients with COVID-19 as well as to analyze the outcomes of these critically ill patients.

METHODOLOGY

This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study that investigated the occurrence of CIRCI among critically ill patients infected with COVID-19.

RESULTS

In this cohort, there were 145 COVID-19-positive patients with refractory shock, which reflects that 22.94% of the COVID-19 admissions have probable CIRCI.Patients who were given corticosteroids were found to have statistically significant longer median days on a ventilator (p=0.001). However, those on the corticosteroid arm were at higher risk of morbidity and mortality and a greater proportion had organ dysfunction. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that SOFA score was a significant predictor of mortality in CIRCI (p=0.013).

CONCLUSION

CIRCI has a unique presentation among patients with COVID-19 because of the presence of a high level of inflammation in this life-threatening infection. It is possibly a harbinger of a markedly increased risk of mortality in these patients.

Real-world corticosteroid use in severe pneumonia: a propensity-score-matched study

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite correct antibiotic use. Corticosteroids have long been evaluated as a treatment option, but heterogeneous effects on survival have precluded their widespread implementation. We aimed to evaluate whether corticosteroids might improve clinical outcomes in patients with severe CAP and high inflammatory responses.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed two prospective observational cohorts of patients with CAP in Barcelona and Rome who were admitted to intensive care with a high inflammatory response. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to obtain balance among the baseline variables in both groups, and we excluded patients with viral pneumonia or who received hydrocortisone.

RESULTS

Of the 610 patients admitted with severe CAP, 198 (32%) received corticosteroids and 387 had major criteria for severe CAP. All patients had a baseline serum C-reactive protein above 15 mg/dL. Patients who received corticosteroids were more commonly male, had more comorbidities (e.g., cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and presented with significantly higher sequential organ failure assessment scores. Eighty-nine patients met major severity criteria (invasive mechanical ventilation and/or septic shock) and were matched per group. Twenty-eight-day mortality was lower among patients receiving corticosteroids (16 patients, 18%) than among those not receiving them (28 patients, 31%; p = 0.037). After PS matching, corticosteroid therapy reduced the 28-day mortality risk in patients who met major severity criteria (hazard ratio (HR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.98) (p = 0.043). In patients who did not meet major severity criteria, no benefits were observed with corticosteroid use (HR 0.88 (95%CI 0.32-2.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Corticosteroid treatment may be of benefit for patients with CAP who have septic shock and/or a high inflammatory response and requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation. Corticosteroids appear to have no impact on mortality when these features are not present.

The role of steroids in severe CAP

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite adequate antibiotic therapy. It is the single most common cause of infection-related mortality in the United States. An exaggerated host inflammatory response can potentially be harmful to both the lung and host, and has been associated with treatment failure and mortality. Modulation of inflammatory response may, therefore, be theoretically beneficial. The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of steroids seem an attractive therapeutic option in severe CAP patients. Available datapoint to overall shorter time to clinical stability and decreased length-of-stay in CAP patients, with a potential mortality benefit in severe CAP. The level of evidence is, however, low to moderate regarding mortality due to high heterogeneity and insufficient power of data. Furthermore, steroids were deleterious in influenza pneumonia and in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia data suggest a lack of efficacy and potential harm. Both European and American guidelines recommend not using corticosteroids in CAP. Patients who might benefit and those that can be harmed from steroids remain to be clearly identified, as does the ideal steroid for CAP patients, based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. It is essential for future studies to avoid the same methodological bias present in the available data so that high-quality evidence on the true role of steroids in CAP can be provided.

Low-Dose Corticosteroid Treatment in Children With Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The clinical value of corticosteroid treatment in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) has been controversial. Our study aimed to identify the effects of low-dose corticosteroids on the recovery of children with MPP. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, pediatric inpatients with MPP were included from the Shanghai Children's Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia cohort study between August 2014 and July 2019. The multivariable logistic regression and propensity-score matching were used to investigate the effects of low-dose corticosteroid treatment on fever duration after admission, total fever duration, length of hospital stay, C-reactive protein recovery time, and imaging recovery time with the stratification of severe pneumonia, refractory pneumonia, inflammatory biomarkers, pulmonary images, and timing of corticosteroids. Results: There were 548 patients in the corticosteroid group and 337 in the no-corticosteroid group. The corticosteroid group showed severe clinical parameters such as more severe and refractory cases, higher laboratory values, and more abnormal imaging manifestations. The corticosteroid group also showed longer fever duration after admission [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.1), P = 0.008], longer total fever duration [OR = 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.3), P = 0.011], longer hospital stay [OR = 2.8 (95% CI, 1.9-4.0), P < 0.001], and longer C-reactive protein (CRP) recovery time [OR = 2.1 (95% CI, 1.1-3.9), P = 0.021] in the regression model after the adjustment for severity. Although low-dose corticosteroids were associated with shortened imaging recovery time in patients with high level laboratory values, pulmonary imaging could be completely recovered in both groups. The trend of these results was consistent even after stratifications and a propensity scores matching analysis. Conclusions: Low-dose corticosteroids may not be beneficial in children inpatients with MPP, and further studies on proper treatment modality are needed in the MRMP era.

Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia

A 58-years-old male, smoker (8 pack-years) and having Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension for 8 years, presented to the ED with fever and acute dyspnoea for the last 48 h. On examination, respiratory rate was 34 breaths/min, blood pressure-150/96 mm Hg, heart rate-112/min, regular, and Oxygen saturation of 86% on 4L of oxygen by mask. He was conscious and oriented. His chest X-ray showed left lower zone consolidation.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicating severe influenza: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Bacterial super-infection of critically ill influenza patients is well known, but in recent years, more and more reports describe invasive aspergillosis as a frequent complication as well. This review summarizes the available literature on the association of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) with severe influenza [influenza-associated aspergillosis (IAA)], including epidemiology, diagnostic approaches and treatment options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Though IPA typically develops in immunodeficient patients, non-classically immunocompromised patients such as critically ill influenza patients are at high-risk for IPA as well. The morbidity and mortality of IPA in these patients is high, and in the majority of them, the onset occurs early after ICU admission. At present, standard of care (SOC) consists of close follow-up of these critically ill influenza patients with high diagnostic awareness for IPA. As soon as there is clinical, mycological or radiological suspicion for IAA, antifungal azole-based therapy (e.g. voriconazole) is initiated, in combination with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Antifungal treatment regimens should reflect local epidemiology of azole-resistant Aspergillus species and should be adjusted to clinical evolution. TDM is necessary as azoles like voriconazole are characterized by nonlinear pharmacokinetics, especially in critically ill patients.

SUMMARY

In light of the frequency, morbidity and mortality associated with influenza-associated aspergillosis in the ICU, a high awareness of the diagnosis and prompt initiation of antifungal therapy is required. Further studies are needed to evaluate the incidence of IAA in a prospective multicentric manner, to elucidate contributing host-derived factors to the pathogenesis of this super-infection, to further delineate the population at risk, and to identify the preferred diagnostic and management strategy, and also the role of prophylaxis.

Plasma Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Level as a Predictor of the Severity of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mediates various cellular activities and is involved in proteolysis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between soluble uPAR (suPAR) levels and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the plasma suPAR levels in 67 healthy controls and 75 patients with CAP. Our results revealed that plasma suPAR levels were significantly elevated in patients with CAP compared with the controls, and antibiotic treatment was effective in reducing suPAR levels. The plasma suPAR levels were correlated with the severity of CAP based on the pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation significantly increased uPAR expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, plasma suPAR levels may play a role in the clinical assessment of CAP severity; these findings may provide information on new targets for treatment of CAP.

Effect of Combined β-Lactam/Macrolide Therapy on Mortality According to the Microbial Etiology and Inflammatory Status of Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic combinations that include macrolides have shown lower mortality rates than β-lactams in monotherapy or combined with fluoroquinolones in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, this effect has not been studied according to the levels of C-reactive protein in CAP with identified microbial cause. In patients with CAP and known microbial cause we aimed to evaluate 30-day mortality of a β-lactam plus macrolide (BL + M) compared with a fluoroquinolone alone or with a β-lactam (FQ ± BL).

METHODS

We analyzed a prospective observational cohort of patients with CAP admitted to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between 1996 and 2016. We included only patients with known microbial cause.

RESULTS

Of 1,715 patients (29%) with known etiology, a total of 932 patients (54%) received BL + M. Despite lower crude mortality in the BL + M group in the overall population (BL + M, 5% vs FQ ± BL, 8%; P = .015), after adjustment by a propensity score and baseline characteristics, the combination of BL + M had a protective effect on mortality only in patients with high inflammatory response (C-reactive protein, > 15 mg/dL) and pneumococcal CAP (adjusted OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.93). No benefits on mortality were observed for the population without high inflammatory response and pneumococcal CAP or with other etiologies.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a β-lactam with a macrolide was associated with decreased mortality in patients with pneumococcal CAP and in patients with high systemic inflammatory response. When both factors occurred together, BL + M was protective for mortality in the multivariate analysis.

[Corticosteroids in community acquired pneumonia: Where are we in 2018?]

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infectious disease and one of the main causes of mortality worldwide. Despite an improvement in management globally, mortality remains high especially in severe forms of CAP. Adequate early antibiotics remain the cornerstone of the treatment but adjuvant corticosteroid administration is being considered to counterbalance the systemic inflammatory reaction and modulate the immune response. In the last ten years, several clinical trials and meta-analyses have been conducted in severe and non-severe CAP to assess the efficacy of corticosteroids. The benefits on the duration of hospitalization and the time to clinical stability are quite small and early mortality does not seem to be improved. Corticosteroids should not, therefore, be used routinely in patients with CAP, even in severe cases. However, new therapeutic trials are currently underway.

Adult pneumococcal vaccination: advances, impact, and unmet needs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Preventing pneumonia in the elderly and individuals with comorbidities is an unmet clinical need. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the commonest bacterial cause of pneumonia, and we summarize recent findings regarding current S. pneumoniae vaccines, and debate their efficacy and cost-effectiveness in risk groups. We also discuss potential future vaccine strategies such as protein antigen vaccines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine does not prevent S. pneumoniae pneumonia. Vaccination with pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV) prevents nasopharyngeal colonization, but although PCV13 has recently been shown to prevent S. pneumoniae pneumonia in adults, its overall efficacy was relatively low. The results of cost-effectiveness studies of PCV vaccination in adults are variable with some showing this is a cost-effective strategy, whereas others have not. The lack of cost-effectiveness is predominantly because of the current cost of the PCV vaccine and the existing herd immunity effect from childhood PCV vaccination on vaccine serotypes.

SUMMARY

S. pneumoniae pneumonia is a vaccine-preventable disease but remains a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Advances in vaccination using approaches that induce serotypes-independent immunity and are immunogenic in high-risk groups are required to reduce the burden of disease because of S. pneumoniae.

Port d'Entrée for Respiratory Infections - Does the Influenza A Virus Pave the Way for Bacteria?

Bacterial and viral co-infections of the respiratory tract are life-threatening and present a global burden to the global community. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes are frequent colonizers of the upper respiratory tract. Imbalances through acquisition of seasonal viruses, e.g., Influenza A virus, can lead to bacterial dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, which in turn can result in severe pneumonia. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about bacterial and viral co-infections of the respiratory tract and focus on potential experimental models suitable for mimicking this disease. Transmission of IAV and pneumonia is mainly modeled by mouse infection. Few studies utilizing ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and non-human primates are also available. The knowledge gained from these studies led to important discoveries and advances in understanding these infectious diseases. Nevertheless, mouse and other infection models have limitations, especially in translation of the discoveries to humans. Here, we suggest the use of human engineered lung tissue, human ex vivo lung tissue, and porcine models to study respiratory co-infections, which might contribute to a greater translation of the results to humans and improve both, animal and human health.

Lymphopenic Community Acquired Pneumonia (L-CAP), an Immunological Phenotype Associated with Higher Risk of Mortality

The role of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in blood as prognosis predictors in Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) has not been adequately studied. This was a derivation-validation retrospective study in hospitalized patients with CAP and no prior immunosuppression. We evaluated by multivariate analysis the association between neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and mortality risk at 30-days post hospital admission in these patients. The derivation cohort (n=1550 patients) was recruited in a multi-site study. The validation cohort (n=2846 patients) was recruited in a single-site study. In the derivation cohort, a sub-group of lymphopenic patients, those with <724lymphocytes/mm³, showed a 1.93-fold increment in the risk of mortality, independently of the CURB-65 score, critical illness, and receiving an appropriate antibiotic treatment. In the validation cohort, patients with <724lymphocytes/mm³ showed a 1.86-fold increment in the risk of mortality. The addition of 1 point to the CURB-65 score in those patients with <724lymphocytes/mm³ improved the performance of this score to identify non-survivors in both cohorts. In conclusion, lymphopenic CAP constitutes a particular immunological phenotype of the disease which is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Assessing lymphocyte counts could contribute to personalized clinical management in CAP.

Bacterial Pneumonia in Older Adults

The incidence of pneumonia increases with age, and is particularly high in patients who reside in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Mortality rates for pneumonia in older adults are high and have not decreased in the last decade. Atypical symptoms and exacerbation of underlying illnesses should trigger clinical suspicion of pneumonia. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms are more common in older adults, particularly among LTCF residents, and should be considered when making empiric treatment decisions. Monitoring of clinical stability and underlying comorbid conditions, potential drug-drug interactions, and drug-related adverse events are important factors in managing elderly patients with pneumonia.

Comorbidities impact on the prognosis of severe acute community-acquired pneumonia

Highlights

Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of admission to hospital worldwide with high mortality rates. Host comorbidities may be associated not just with a greater risk of developing the disease but also with worse outcomes. In this work, the evaluation of the impact of host comorbidities on the prognosis of severe CAP patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was proposed. Severity indexes, some clinical and analytic parameters at admission in ICU as well as patient comorbidities were analyzed and statistically compared with mortality. In this study, although there was no clear link between comorbidities and mortality, factors such as smoking, obesity and previous renal disease impairment seem to have an impact on the prognosis of severe CAP.

Immunomodulatory effects of pidotimod in adults with community-acquired pneumonia undergoing standard antibiotic therapy

The morbidity and mortality of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are still elevated and two aspects seem to contribute to a worse outcome: an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction and an inadequate immune response. Adjuvants, including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins, have been proposed to counterbalance these effects but their efficacy is only partial. We examined the immunomodulatory activity of Pidotimod (PDT), a synthetic dipeptide molecule in adult patients hospitalized for CAP. Sixteen patients with a diagnosis of CAP and a PSI score III or IV and/or a CURB-65 0-2 were randomized to receive either levofloxacin 500 mg b.i.d. alone or levofloxacin plus PDT (800mg, 2 daily doses). Blood samples were drawn at baseline (T0), before initiation of therapy, as well as 3 (T3), and 5 (T5) days after initiation of therapy. Immunologic and clinical parameters were analyzed at each time point. Supplementation of antibiotic therapy with PDT resulted in an upregulation of antimicrobial and of immunomodulatory proteins as well as in an increased percentage of Toll like receptor (TLR)2- and TLR4, and of CD80- and CD86-expressing immune cells. Notably, Pidotimod supplementation was also associated with a robust reduction of TNFα-producing immune cells. No significant differences were observed in clinical parameters. These results confirm that supplementation of antibiotic therapy with Pidotimod in patients with CAP results in a potentially beneficial modulation of innate immunity.