Time to recovery from severe pneumonia and its predictors among pediatric patients admitted in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital,South West Ethiopia,2022

Objective:Despite trials and programs for the prevention of childhood mortality due to pneumonia,Ethiopia is among the top five countries with the highest number of deaths due to pneumonia.Although the prevalence of pneumonia has increased in the abovementioned trials,little is known about the recovery time from severe pneumonia and its predictors in the study area.Therefore,this study aimed to assess the time to recovery from severe pneumonia and its predictors among pediatric patients admitted to Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital,Ethiopia,in 2022.Methods:A total of 591 children admitted for severe pneumonia were selected using simple random sampling.Data were entered into Epi-data version 4.4.2.1 and expor ted to STATA version 14 for analysis,and the assumptions of Cox propor tional hazard models and goodness of fit were assessed through Shoenfeld residual and Cox-Snell residual,respectively.Bivariate and multivariable Cox regression models were used to identify the predictors of mor tality.Results:This study revealed that 91.54%(95%confidence interval[CI]:89.00–93.53)of participants recovered with an incidence rate of 24.10(95%CI:22.15–26.21)per 100 person-day–observations.The hmedian recovery time of children was 4 days(95%CI:2–6).Children who were not exclusively breastfed(AHR=1.3;95%CI:1.03–1.66),who had a history of inability to suck/feed(AHR=0.81;95%CI:0.65–0.99)were independent predictors of the time to recovery.Conclusions:Children with severe pneumonia who had not exclusively breastfed and who had a history of inability to suck/feed were independent predictors of time to recovery.Therefore,all stakeholders and concerned health care providers should focus more on early diagnosis and management and hasten early recovery based on the identified factors.

Knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among Medical Students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) remain a common cause of death, functional disability, emotional suffering and economic burden among hospitalized patients. Knowledge of HAIs is important in its prevention and control. This study seeks to assess the knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among medical students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in October 2019 among clinical medical students using a Multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS 20 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Ethics Committee, Jos, Plateau State. Results: A total of 219 students in the clinical arm of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences were selected. A higher proportion (97.7%) of respondents knew about Hospital Acquired Infections and 85.4% knew that Hospital Acquired infections occur in the hospital, and (86.3%) considered patients contagious with half (58.9%) considered patients as the most important source of HAIs, followed by care givers (13.2%), then doctors including medical students and interns (10.0%) and lastly nurses (8.7%). The majority of respondents (70.8%) considered Surgical Wound Infections to be the most commonly occurring HAI, followed by UTIs (69.9%), RTIs (61.2%), BSIs (37.0%) and others (0.9%). The clinical thermometer was the instrument that most commonly transmits HAIs (82.6%), then followed by stethoscope (62.1%), white coats (53.9%), and blood pressure cuff (51.1%). Most respondents knew the infectious substances, like blood (96.3%), nasal discharge (82.6%), saliva (85.3%), and faeces (79.4%) transmitted HAIs, 72.6% of the respondents said that they were aware of the recommended hand washing techniques by WHO. Conclusion: The majority of students 91.3% had good knowledge while 8.7% had poor knowledge of HAIs. Lower classes had more respondents with poor knowledge. This finding was statistically significant (p = 0.002, Chi-square 12.819). Students are encouraged to keep up the level of knowledge they have about HAIs. These students can help improve the knowledge of those whose knowledge level is low. Government and NGOs should support sponsorship for capacity-building events targeted at HAIs for healthcare workers and medical students.

B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting the severity of community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Although pneumonia severity index(PSI) is widely used to evaluate the severity of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP), the calculation of PSI is very complicated. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) in predicting the severity of CAP.METHODS: For 202 patients with CAP admitted to the emergency department, BNP levels, cardiac load indexes, inf lammatory indexes including C-reactive protein(CRP), white blood cell count(WBC), and PSI were detected. The correlation between the indexes and PSI was investigated. BNP levels for survivor and non-survivor groups were compared, and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was performed on the BNP levels versus PSI.RESULTS: The BNP levels increased with CAP severity(r=0.782, P<0.001). The BNP levels of the high-risk group(PSI classes IV and V) were signifi cantly higher than those of the low-risk group(PSI classes I–III)(P<0.001). The BNP levels were signifi cantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group(P<0.001). In addition, there were positive correlations between BNP levels and PSI scores(r=0.782, P<0.001). The BNP level was highly accurate in predicting the severity of CAP(AUC=0.952). The optimal cut-off point of BNP level for distinguishing high-risk patients from low-risk ones was 125.0 pg/m L, with a sensitivity of 0.891 and a specifi city of 0.946. Moreover, BNP level was accurate in predicting mortality(AUC=0.823). Its optimal cut-off point for predicting death was 299.0 pg/m L, with a sensitivity of 0.675 and a specifi city of 0.816. Its negative predictive cut-off value was 0.926, and the positive predictive cut-off value was 0.426.CONCLUSION: BNP level is positively correlated with the severity of CAP, and may be used as a biomarker for evaluating the severity of CAP.

Development Path and Urgency of Further Strengthening Construction of Public Hospitals Based on Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Treatment

During the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia(NCP)in Wuhan,public hospitals have played an important role in intensive care,case guidance and scheme optimization.At the same time,it also faces unprecedented challenges and tests.Based on the treatment of severe patients in Wuhan,combined with the treatment practice in Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,this paper puts forward the urgency of further strengthening the construction of public hospitals,discusses the feasible path for promoting the development of public hospitals,so as to meet the growing medical needs of the people,improve the ability to respond to major public health emergencies,and effectively guarantee the safety of people's lives and the promotion of a healthy China construction.

Imaging of community-acquired pneumonia: Roles of imaging examinations, imaging diagnosis of specific pathogens and discrimination from noninfectious diseases

This article reviews roles of imaging examinations in the management of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP), imaging diagnosis of specific CAP and discrimination between CAP and noninfectious diseases. Chest radiography is usually enough to confirm the diagnosis of CAP, whereas computed tomography is required to suggest specific pathogens and to discriminate from noninfectious diseases. Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, tuberculosis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and some cases of viral pneumonia sometimes show specific imaging findings. Peribronchial nodules, especially tree-in-bud appearance, are fairly specific for infection. Evidences of organization, such as concavity of the opacities, traction bronchiectasis, visualization of air bronchograms over the entire length of the bronchi, or mild parenchymal distortion are suggestive of organizing pneumonia. We will introduce tips to effectively make use of imaging examinations in the management of CAP.

Comparative efficacy of levofloxacin and ceftriaxone in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia in children

Pneumonia is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in under-5 children throughout the world. Globally an estimated 156 million new episodes of pneumonia occur each year in children and 2 million children die from pneumonia each year which is 20 percent of all deaths of children under five years old. Ceftriaxone is a commonly used drug for empiric treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Levofloxacin may be an adequate option for empiric therapy in treatment of CAP in children because it gives the broad spectrum activity against both bacterial and atypical pathogens causing CAP and studies suggest that it can be safely used in children. This open labeled, randomized, comparative clinical trial was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh during January, 2011 & December, 2012 to compare the efficacy of levofloxacin and ceftriaxone in the treatment CAP in children. A total 70 cases of CAP were enrolled. 35 cases were allocated to levofloxacin group and another 35 cases to ceftriaxone group. At first the study cases were selected by systematic random sampling. Group allocation to either levofloxacin or ceftriaxone group was done by lottery method. Total duration for receiving study drugs was seven days. Dose of levofloxacin was 10 mg/kg/day children ≥5 years, where as it was 10 mg/kg 12 hourly in 6 months to <5 years age groups. Dose of ceftriaxone was 75 mg/kg/day. Response to treatment was assessed initially after 3 days and also after 7 days by clinical symptoms and signs. Clinical cure rate was determined by disappearance of the clinical signs and symptoms of pneumonia and resolution of radiological findings reported at admission. Clinical responses were categorized as cured and treatment failure. 91.43% cases were cured in levofloxacin group, whereas cure rate of ceftriaxone group was 68.57% which was statistically significant (p = 0.0168). Adverse effects of levofloxacin were found as skin rash in 1 case and vomiting in 2 cases whereas skin rash was found in 1 case in ceftriaxone group. So it can be concluded that levofloxacin is more effective than ceftriaxone in the treatment of CAP in children.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Moxifloxacin Versus Cefoperazone with Azithromycin in the Treatment of Community Acquired Pneumonia

Summary： To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intravenous moxifloxacin with those of a commonly used empirical antibiotic regimen, cefoperazone and azithromycin in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia （CAP） in adult patients requiring initial parenteral therapy, 40 patients with CAP were divided into two groups, a moxifloxacin group （n=20） and a control group （n=20）, which were treated for 7 to 14 days. The patients in the moxifloxacin group were intravenously given 400 mg of moxifloxacin （AveloxR） once a day. Patients in the control group were administered 2.0 g of cefoperazone twice a day and azithromycin 0.5 g once a day. Clinical, bacteriological, and laboratory examinations were performed before the treatment, and at the end of the treatment. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy rate between two treatment groups at end of therapy （90 % for moxifloxacin, 95 % for cefoperazone plus azithromycin） （P〉0.05）. The bacteriologic eradication rate at the end of treatment was 90 % in the moxifloxacin group and 80 % in the cefoperazone-plus-azithromycin group, whereas there was no significant difference between the two groups （P〉0.05）. In addition, both drugs were well-tolerated in this trial, with the number of drug-related adverse events being comparable. It is concluded that moxifloxacin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for CAP and was equivalent to the com- monly used empirical treatment of cefoperazone plus azithromycin. Moxifloxacin is likely to offer clinicians an alternative for reliable empirical CAP treatment in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance.

Corticosteroids and ICU Course of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Egyptian Settings

Background: Pneumonia is the most common cause of community-acquired infection requiring ICU admission. 60-87% of patients with severe community acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted to the ICU develops respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation (MV). Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of adjunctive low dose hydrocortisone infusion treatment in Egyptian ICU patients with CAP. Methods: Hospitalized patients, clinically and radiologically diagnosed with CAP, were randomized to receive hydrocortisone 12.5 mg/h IV infusion for 7 days or placebo, along with antibiotics. The end-points of the study were improvement in PaO2:FIO2 (PaO2:FIO2 > 300 or ≥100 increase from study entry) and SOFA score by study day 8 and the development of delayed septic shock. Results: 80 patients were recruited, 40 of them received hydrocortisone and the remaining 40 received placebo. By study day 8, hydrocortisone treated patients showed a significant improvement in PaO2:FIO2 and chest radiograph score, and a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and delayed septic shock compared to the control group. Hydrocortisone treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of MV. However, hydrocortisone infusion did not show significant difference in the ICU mortality. Conclusions: adjunctive 7-day course of low dose hydrocortisone IV in patients with CAP hastens recovery of pneumonia and prevents the development of sepsis related complications with a significant reduction in duration of the mechanical ventilation.

Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) is pneumonia acquired infectiously from normal social contact as opposed to being acquired during hospitalization. CAP is a leading cause of illness and death. This review aims to determine the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP).DATA SOURCES: We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) from Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to obtain the information by using steroids, glucocorticoids, cortisol, corticosteroids, community-acquired pneumonia and CAP as key words. The quality of RCTs was evaluated. A Meta-analysis was made using Rev Man 5.0 provided by the Cochrance Collaboration.RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 944 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The mean length of hospital stay in glucocorticoids treatment group was significantly shorter than that in standard treatment group(WMD=–1.70, 95%CI 2.01–1.39, Z=10.81, P<0.00001). No statistically significant differences were found in the mortality rate(RR=0.77,95%CI 0.46–1.27, Z=1.03, P=0.30), the mean length of hospital stay in ICU(WMD=1.17, 95%CI 1.68–4.02, Z=0.81, P=0.42), the incidence of super infection(RR=1.32, 95%CI 0.66–2.63, Z=0.79, P=0.43), the incidence of hyperglycemia(RR=1.84, 95%CI 0.76–4.41, Z=1.36, P=0.17), the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding(RR=1.98, 95%CI 0.37–10.59, Z=0.80, P=0.42) between the standard treatment group and the glucocorticoids treatment group.CONCLUSIONS: The use of glucocorticoids in patients with community-acquired pneumonia can significantly shorten the duration of illness and have a favorable safety profile. However, it could not reduce the overall mortality.

Community-acquired pneumonia complicated by rhabdomyolysis: A clinical analysis of 11 cases

BACKGROUND In clinical practice, community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) can be complicated by rhabdomyolysis(RM), and RM symptoms are mild and easily missed during diagnosis. Moreover, available data on RM induced by CAP are mainly from case reports. Due to the relatively low incidence of CAP-induced RM, more systematic studies are required to understand the characteristics of CAP-induced RM to improve its diagnosis and treatment.AIM To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with CAP-induced RM.METHODS This was a retrospective study of 11 patients with CAP-induced RM. Baseline characteristics, diagnostic work-up, and laboratory test results were summarized and compared with those of 48 patients with exercise-induced RM admitted during the same period.RESULTS CAP-induced RM was more common in men, and affected older patients compared to those with exercise-induced RM. However, the average age of the patients in this study was lower than the age of peak incidence of CAP in adults in China. The major clinical manifestations were high fever and respiratory symptoms. RM symptoms were mild and often overlooked. Patients with CAP-induced RM had elevated inflammatory parameters, respiratory alkalosis,relatively low serum potassium levels and often had abnormalities in hepatic and renal function and cardiac enzymes. Compared with the exercise group, the pneumonia group had lower levels of creatine kinase and myoglobin, a higher incidence of acute kidney injury, and worse renal function and prognosis.Adverse events were mainly related to the severity of CAP.CONCLUSION CAP-induced RM has different clinical characteristics from those of exerciseinduced RM. Early detection and treatment could reduce complications and consequently shorten the treatment course.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Community Acquired Pneumonia with Septicemia in a Previously Healthy Woman

A previously healthy 53-year-old woman was urgently hospitalized due to septic shock. She was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia based on chest radiograph and computed tomography findings of right upper lobe consolidation. Sputum Gramstain at the time of admission showed gram-negative rods with phagocytosis. Intravenous meropenem was immediately initiated as empiric antibacterial therapy. Bacterial culture specimens from sputum and blood were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Following appropriate antibiotic therapies, the patient recovered from a shock state and gradually became well. There has been no evidence of recurrence at 6 months after discharge. P. aeruginosa community acquired pneumonia with septicemia is rapidly progressive and often fatal. The choice of initial empiric antibiotic treatment that is active against P. aeruginosa is critical in improving outcome.

Risk factors for hospital readmissions in pneumonia patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Factors that are associated with the short-term rehospitalization have been investigated previously in numerous studies.However,the majority of these studies have not produced any conclusive results because of their smaller sample sizes,differences in the definition of pneumonia,joint pooling of the in-hospital and post-discharge deaths and lower generalizability.AIM To estimate the effect of various risk factors on the rate of hospital readmissions in patients with pneumonia.METHODS Systematic search was conducted in PubMed Central,EMBASE,MEDLINE,Cochrane library,ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases and search engines from inception until July 2021.We used the Newcastle Ottawa(NO)scale to assess the quality of published studies.A meta-analysis was carried out with random-effects model and reported pooled odds ratio(OR)with 95%confidence interval(CI).RESULTS In total,17 studies with over 3 million participants were included.Majority of the studies had good to satisfactory quality as per NO scale.Male gender(pooled OR=1.22;95%CI:1.16-1.27),cancer(pooled OR=1.94;95%CI:1.61-2.34),heart failure(pooled OR=1.28;95%CI:1.20-1.37),chronic respiratory disease(pooled OR=1.37;95%CI:1.19-1.58),chronic kidney disease(pooled OR=1.38;95%CI:1.23- 1.54) and diabetes mellitus (pooled OR = 1.18;95%CI: 1.08-1.28) had statistically significantassociation with the hospital readmission rate among pneumonia patients. Sensitivity analysisshowed that there was no significant variation in the magnitude or direction of outcome,indicating lack of influence of a single study on the overall pooled estimate.CONCLUSIONMale gender and specific chronic comorbid conditions were found to be significant risk factors forhospital readmission among pneumonia patients. These results may allow clinicians and policymakersto develop better intervention strategies for the patients.

Study on inflammatory factors and curative effect of Rhizoma Imperata on community acquired pneumonia based on TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Objective:To investigate the curative effect of Rhizoma Imperata in the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia and its influence on inflammatory factors related to TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,so as to seek new drugs for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.Methods:120 patients with community-acquired pneumonia who were treated in Department of respiratory medicine,the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from November 2019 to September 2020 were collected and randomly divided into control group and experimental group,with 60 patients in each group.The control group was given cefuroxime sodium injection,and the experimental group was given cefuroxime sodium injection+Baimao root decoction.The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(CRP)and the level of serum CRP in the two groups before and after treatment were compared Objective To observe the expression of procalcitonin(PCT),IL-6,IL-8,TNF-αand TLR4/NF-κB mRNA levels,and to observe the effect of Radix Imperata Rubra on community-acquired pneumonia.Results:The fever,cough,expectoration subsided time and chest CT inflammation absorption time of the experimental group were shorter than those of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);the total effective rate of the experimental group(96.67%)was higher than that of the control group(85%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);after treatment,the serum CRP,PCT,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-αin the two groups were lower than before,and the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),There was statistical significance(P<0.05);after treatment,TLR4/NF-κB mRNA of the two groups were decreased,and the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:In the treatment of cap,Rhizoma Imperata can reduce the levels of CRP,PCT,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α.The mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,so as to reduce the release of inflammatory factors and improve clinical symptoms.

Effect of Elephantopus scaber Linn on community acquired pneumonia through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Objective:To observe the effect of Elephantopus scaber Linn on community-acquired pneumonia and its relationship with the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway and the downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α.and to explore its molecular mechanism for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia,so as to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.Methods:140 patients with community-acquired pneumonia were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 70 cases in each group.Observation group:Elephantopus scaber Linn+NS atomized inhalation+intravenous injection of ceftazidine;Control group:intravenous injection of ceftazidine;Meanwhile,70 healthy subjects were selected as the healthy control group.The expressions of TLR4,NF-kB,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin serum of observation group,control group before and after treatment and healthy control group were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the efficacy of Elephantopus scaber Linn in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia was observed.Results:Compared with the control group,the observation group was significantly better than the control group in recovery rate,total effective rate,number of days for the disappearance of symptoms such as fever,cough,expectoration,with statistical significance(P<0.05);Compared with the healthy control group,the serum TLR4,NF-κB,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-αwere significantly different(P<0.05)between the observation group and the control group;Serum TLR4,NF-κB,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-αwere significantly different(P<0.05)in the observation group before and after treatment with Elephantopus scaber Linn;Compared with the control group after treatment,there were significantly different(P<0.05)in serum TLR4,NF-κB,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin the observation group after treatment.Conclusion:Serum TLR4,NF-κB,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-αwere highly expressed in patients with community-acquired pneumonia,Elephantopus scaber Linn can decreased the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in blood,and its downstream inflammatory factors also decreased significantly.There were significantly different(P<0.05)in blood TLR4 and NF-κB between the observation group and the control group after treatment.It is suggested that Elephantopus scaber Linn may inhibit TLR4/NF-kB signal pathway to exert anti-inflammatory effect.Elephantopus scaber Linn has a definite effect and can significantly improve the clinical symptoms,and effectively shorten the treatment cycle.

Incidence of Extended-Spectrum Be-ta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae among Patients and in the Environment of Hassan II Hospital, Settat, Morocco

Aim: The aim of the current study is to determine: (1) the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) isolated from clinical samples and a hospital environment in Hassan II Hospital (Settat, Morocco);(2) the associated risk factors of ESBL-Kp infections;(3) the link between clinical and environmental isolates. Methods: During the study period (April 2010 to March 2011), all patients infected and hospital environment sites contaminated by K. pneumoniae were considered as the potential study population and environmental site. The clinical data were collected to identify risk factors for ESBL carriage of K. pneumoniae infection. Screening of ESBL-and carbapenemase-producing isolates was performed by using a double-disk synergy test and the modified Hodge test, respectively. ESBL-Kp isolates were tested for the presence of genes encoding β-lactamases and were investigated by PCR. The clonal relationship between ESBL-producing isolates was analysed by ERIC- and REP-PCR method. Results: The overall prevalence of ESBL-Kp among clinical and environmental K. pneumoniae isolates was 35.13% (13/37) and 4.04% (4/99), respectively. The main risk factors for carrying ESBL-Kp were renal disease (46.15%), recent surgery (53.84%), previous hospitalisation (76.92%), and the presence of many invasive devices (53.84%). All ESBL isolates were multidrug resistant. The blaCTX-M group1and blaSHV (70.58% for each) were the most prevalent followed by blaTEM (52.94%). Thirteen strains expressed at least two bla genes. One isolate was positive in the modified Hodge test and was a blaOXA-48 producer. ERIC and Rep-PCR methods revealed an epidemic clonal dissemination of these isolates. Conclusion: The emergence of OXA-48 carbapenemase, endemic clonal dissemination and multi-drug resistance of ESBL-Kp isolates in our institution is highly alarming.

Atypical pathogens in community acquired pneumonia of Egyptian children

Objective:Diagnosis of atypical pathogens as an aetiology for community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) in children is a challenge world wide.The aim of this study was to detect the frequency of atypical pathogens as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) in Egyptian children.Methods:From 50 children(with age ranged from 2 months to 12 years) hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia;respiratory sputum samples were collected by induction or spontaneously.All samples were subjected to conventional cultures and Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) technique DNA extraction for identification of Mycoplasma,Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila.Results;A definite pathogen was identified in 78%of the studied children;30% typical bacteria,8%Candida albicans and atypical bacteria in 40%of the pneumonic children.Chlamydia pneumoniae was isolated from 26%of the children while Mycoplasma pneumoniae was isolated from 14%, whereas Legionella pneumophilla was not isolated at all.Conclusion;Atypical pathogens are evident as a potential aetiology for community-acquired pneumonia in(13.3%) of young and(80%) of older Egyptian children.

Clinical Utility of Procalcitonin for Differentiating between Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Background: Differentiating cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be difficult in some cases. Objective: To clarify the clinical utility of procalcitonin (PCT) levels for differentiating between COP and CAP. Methods: Blood PCT levels, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein concentration, number of segments involved on computed tomography (CT) images, and pneumonia severity assessment scale were retrospectively investigated from clinical charts and chest CT images of COP and CAP patients who were admitted to our hospital from 2012 to 2014. The clinical characteristics of COP patients were compared to those of CAP patients for whom causative organisms were not detected. Results: There were 16 COP and 94 CAP patients for whom causative organisms were not detected. Blood PCT levels of all COP patients were less than 0.16 ng/dL, and significantly lower than those of CAP patients (p = 0.0004), while the number of involved segments was significantly higher than that of CAP patients (p = 0.0001). Blood PCT levels and the number of involved segments remained independently significant for differentiating between COP and CAP by multivariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed that 7 was the best cut-off number for involved segments to differentiate between COP and CAP patients with low PCT levels (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 94.7%). Conclusion: A combination of PCT levels and number of involved segments on CT images is useful for differentiation between COP and CAP.

Role of Serum Procalcitonin Level in Differentiating between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) are common causes of consolidation patch in chest radiograph. Sputum Z-N staining is positive in 30% to 60% cases only and sputum examination has poor yield in CAP. This study aimed to assess the value of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Patients with new opacity in chest radiograph were included in the study. Serum sample were taken at admission and stored. Patient’s diagnosis were confirmed and categorized into pulmonary TB group (32) and community-acquired pneumonia group (23). Their mean PCT level was compared with mean PCT level of 25 controls. Serum procalcitonin levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients of community-acquired pneumonia as compared to patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. In presence of consolidation in x-ray chest, increased level of serum procalcitonin might be used to differentiate pulmonary tuberculosis from community-acquired pneumonia. High level of serum procalcitonin was associated with high mortality rate in community-acquired pneumonia patients.

Clinical application of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio combined with high sensitive C reactive protein in evaluation of community acquired pneumonia

Objective:To explore the application value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) combined with high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the evaluation of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods:From November 2015 to October 2016, 58 cases of CAP patients admitted in our department were selected as research objects and were divided into low risk group and high risk group according to the PSI score and CURB-65 standard for evaluation. They were divided into improved group (48 cases) and death group (10 cases) according to prognosis. Hs-CRP was determined by immunoturbidimetric assay, procalcitonin (PCT) by immunofluorescence, NLR by count method of laser scattering, and white blood (WBC) was counted. The differences in WBC, PCT, NLR and hs-CRP between different risk groups were compared, and the correlation was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis method. The changes in indexes were observed in the improved and death cases. Results:The high risk group had higher NLR, PCT and hs-CRP than low risk group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found in WBC (P>0.05). No correlation was found between NLR and WBC, while a strong correlation was found between hs-CRP and PCT. The WBC, PCT, NLR and hs-CRP levels were significantly lower in the improved group than the death group (P<0.05). Conclusions:NLR combined with hs-CRP, WBC, and PCT has a good assessment of the severity of CAR, and high levels of NLR, hs-CRP, WBC, and PCT predict the severity of the disease and poor prognosis.

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Hospital Acquired Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase—Producing <i>Proteus</i>Species

Background: Multidrug resistance and production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) by a large group of bacterial agents in hospitals are to be a matter of scientific concern. Objective: This cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of ESBL producing Proteus species and risk factors associated with hospital acquired infection in addition to study the antibiotics susceptibility patterns of all bacterial isolates from inpatients of four Yemeni general hospitals. Methods: A total of 740 consecutive non-repeat culture isolates were obtained from admitted patients of Al-Kuwait University Hospital, Al-Thowra General Hospital, Al-Jumhori Teaching Hospital, and Military General Hospitals Sana’a city. We used Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to detect antimicrobial susceptibility and establish the presence of ESBLs-producing bacteria according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Out of 740 isolate, 233 (31.5%) were Escherichia coli followed by Staphylococcus aureus 188 (25.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 149 (20.1%), Klebsiella sp. 107 (14.5%), Enterococcus faecalis 25 (3.4%) and Proteus spp. 38 (5.1%). The highest frequencies of ESBLs producing among Proteus sp. were Proteus mirabilis 26 out 38 (68.4%) and Proteus vulgaris 12 out 38 (31.6%). The most effective of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among Proteus spp. were Imipenem (100%) followed by Pipracillin-Tazobactam (92.3%) for P. mirabilis and (83.3%) for P. vulgaris, while the Amikacin (80.8%) for P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris with (91.7%). Amoxicillin and Cefotaxime were the highest for both species (100%). Conclusion: The prevalence of ESBL-producing Proteus spp. detected in this study is of great concern for public health authorities and a strict adherence of infection control policies and procedures with continuous antibiotics resistance surveillance including antimicrobial management and routine detection of ESBL-producing isolates are very important to prevent nosocomial infections.