Comparison of the clinical features of invasive pneumococcal disease with those of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults / Journal of Rural Medicine

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is an infectious disease where Streptococcus pneumoniae can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood.Methods: Eight patients presented to our hospital with adult IPD. We compared with 69 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia treated in our department between 2012 and 2014. None of the patients had a history of pneumococcal vaccine administration.Results: Hematological examination showed the platelet count was significantly lower and the serum C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in the IPD group. There was a significant difference in the use of a respirator and mortality in the IPD group. About antibiotics, Carbapenem and quinolone were used for the treatment of many patients in the IPD group. In the fatal three cases of IPD, the age of all members were 65 years or younger. Two of three had no underlying disease.Conclusion: IPD develops without elderly people and in those without underlying disease. Also, the patients who took a sudden course may result in death. In line with previous studies that have reported the effectiveness of the pneumococcal vaccine, our study findings emphasize the need of administering vaccination for prevention of IPD in person who was younger than 65 years old.

Comparative of pharmacokinetic of moxifloxacin in the plasma and lung tissues of pneumonia rats and normal rats / 药学实践杂志

Objective To compare the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin (MXF) administered orally in the plasma and lung tissues of rats with pneumonia infected by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.p) and normal rats. Methods To establish a model of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia rats and normal rats. Moxifloxacin was administered by intragastric administration at 42 mg/kg. Microdialysis technique was used to sample the blood and lung tissues of pneumonia rats and normal rats to determine the free drug concentration of moxifloxacin in each sample, calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters, and compare the pharmacokinetics of oral moxifloxacin in pneumonia rats and normal rats. Results The t1/2 of moxifloxacin in the blood of normal rats and pneumonia rats were (5.27±4.38) h, (2.15±0.07) h (P>0.05), and Cmax were (4.94±0.98) μg/ml, respectively, (4.83±0.05) μg/ml (P>0.05), Clast_obs/Cmax were 0.02±0.03, 0.27±0.04 (P<0.05), AUC0-t were (22.33±2.02)μg/ml·h, (12.88±1.19)μg /ml·h (P<0.05), CL/F are (1.79±0.11)(mg/kg)/(μg/ml)·h, (2.49±0.26)(mg/kg)/(μg/ml)·h (P<0.05); Cmax of lung tissue of normal rats and pneumonia rats were (1.42±0.05) μg/ml, (4.84±0.02) μg/ml (P<0.05), t1/2 are (1.9±0.63)h, (3.39±0.79)h (P>0.05), AUMC are (11.93±5.14)μg/ml·h2, (107.01±25.39)μg/ml·h2 (P<0.05), AUC0-t are (3.06±1.0) 7μg/ml·h, (13.16±0.53)μg/ml·h (P<0.01). Conclusions ① Under the 400 mg/d dose condition, after intragastric administration of moxifloxacin, the concentration of free drugs in the blood and lung tissues is higher, far exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and anti-drug resistance concentration (MPC), can effectively remove Streptococcus pneumoniae. ②The free concentration of moxifloxacin in the lung tissue of rats infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae is always higher than that of normal rats, and the Cmax is about 3.4 times that of normal rats. The penetration rate of moxifloxacin in lung tissue of pneumonia rats is significantly higher than that of normal rats.

Neumonía necrotizante en niños: 10 años de experiencia en un hospital pediátrico de referencia / Necrotizing pneumonia in children: 10 years of experience in a Pediatric Reference Hospital / Pneumonia necrosante em crianças: 10 anos de experiência em um Hospital Pediátrico de Referência

Resumen: Introducción: neumonía necrotizante (NN) es una complicación frecuente en niños hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC), caracterizada por importante morbilidad. En 2009, se elaboró una definición de caso, que permitió unificar criterios y racionalizar recursos en la asistencia de estos niños. Objetivo: describir características clínicas y evolutivas de niños que desarrollaron NN en los últimos 10 años. Metodología: estudio descriptivo de niños hospitalizados por NN entre 1/1/2009 y 31/12/2018. Definición de caso: neumatoceles y uno o más de los siguientes criterios: mal estado general, fiebre persistente o recurrente, leucocitosis mayor a 30.000 o menor a 5.000/mm3, proteína C reactiva mayor a 120 mg/dl, láctico deshidrogenasa en líquido pleural mayor a 2.500 UI/L y/o fístula broncopleural (FBP). Se describieron características epidemiológicas, clínicas, etiológicas y evolutivas. Resultados: se diagnosticó NN en 197 niños (7,92% de las hospitalizaciones por NAC), con número anual de casos y tasas/10.000 egresos variables. La mediana de edad fue de 25 meses; 89,8% eran sanos. La fiebre previa al diagnóstico tuvo mediana de cinco días. Tenían neumonía multilobar 58%, insuficiencia respiratoria 62%, sepsis 19%, empiema 80% y fístula bronquio-pleural 51%. Persistieron con fiebre mediana por siete días. Requirieron cuidados intensivos 46% y asistencia ventilatoria mecánica 18%. Los reactantes de fase aguda al ingreso fueron elevados. Se identificó agente etiológico en 102 casos, S. pneumoniae en 92. Fallecieron dos niños. Conclusiones: NN fue una complicación frecuente en niños hospitalizados por NAC. La presentación clínica y la evolución fueron graves. La identificación etiológica fue elevada, la mayoría correspondió a S. pneumoniae. La mortalidad fue baja.

Summary: Introduction: necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is a complication of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized children, with significantly high morbidity. A case definition was devised in 2009, which enabled physicians to unify criteria and rationalize resources for the assistance of children with NP. Objective: describe clinical characteristics and evolution of children who developed NP. Methodology: descriptive study, NP hospitalized children between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2018. Case definition: pneumatoceles and one or more of the following criteria: malaise, persistent/recurrent fever, white blood cell count over 30,000 or less than 5.000/mm3, C-reactive protein over 120 mg/dL, lactic dehydrogenase in pleural fluid over 2,500UI/L and/or bronchopleural fistula (BPF). Clinical, epidemiological, etiological and evolutionary characteristics were described. Results: NP was diagnosed in 197 children (7.92% of CAP hospitalizations), with variable annual cases and annual rate/10,000 discharges. Children had a median age of 25 months; 89.8% were previously healthy. They presented fever prior to diagnosis, median 5 days, multilobar pneumonia 58%, respiratory failure 62%, sepsis 19%, empyema 80% and BPF 51%, persistent fever median 7 days. 46% required intensive care and 18% required assisted mechanical ventilation. Acute phase reactants on admission were high. An etiological agent was identified in 102 cases, S.pneumoniae in 92. Two children died. Conclusions: NP was a frequent complication in CAP hospitalized children. Clinical presentation and evolution were severe. The etiological identification was high, most of them corresponded to S. pnuemoniae. Mortality was low.

Resumo: Introdução: a pneumonia necrosante (PN) é uma complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) em crianças hospitalizadas, com morbidade significativamente elevada. Em 2009, elaborou-se uma definição de caso, que possibilitou aos médicos unificar critérios e racionalizar recursos para o atendimento à criança com PN. Objetivo: descrever as características clínicas e evolutivas de crianças que desenvolveram PN nos últimos 10 anos. Metodologia: estudo descritivo de crianças internadas por PN entre 01/01/2009 e 31/12/2018. Definição de caso: pneumatoceles e um ou mais dos seguintes critérios: mau estado geral, febre persistente ou recorrente, leucocitose superior a 30.000 ou inferior a 5.000 / mm3, proteína C reativa superior a 120 mg / dl, desidrogenase láctica no líquido pleural superior 2.500 UI / L e / ou fístula broncopleural (BPF). Descreveram-se características epidemiológicas, clínicas, etiológicas e evolutivas. Resultados: a PN foi diagnosticada em 197 crianças (7,92% das internações por PAC), com número de casos e taxas anuais variáveis/10.000 altas. A idade média foi de 25 meses; 89,8% eram saudáveis. A febre antes do diagnóstico teve uma mediana de 5 dias. Eles tinham 58% de pneumonia multilobar, 62% de insuficiência respiratória, 19% de sepse, 80% de empiema e 51% de FBP. Eles persistiram com febre mediana por 7 dias. 46% necessitaram de cuidados intensivos e 18% de assistência ventilatória mecânica. Os reagentes de fase aguda na admissão foram elevados. Em 102 casos foi identificado um agente etiológico, S. pneumoniae em 92. 2 crianças morreram. Conclusões: NP é uma complicação frequente em crianças hospitalizadas por PAC. O quadro clínico e a evolução foram graves. A identificação etiológica foi alta, a maioria correspondeu a S. pneumoniae. A mortalidade foi baixa.

Uso de la Escala Clínica de Infección Pulmonar para valorar pacientes con ventilación mecánica asistida / Use of the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score to patients with mechanical ventilation

AbstractIntroduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a lung infection that occurs 48 hours or more after endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.Objective: To use the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) in order to identify the presence of VAP in patients with endotracheal intubation.Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, which included 53 patients with mechanical ventilation, out of which only 11 met the selection criteria. Patients were assessed with the CPIS, as well as with their results of blood count, chest X-ray, and culture of endotracheal aspirates.Results: 81.9% were male, with a mean age of 65.09 ± 13.4 years, weight 75.7 ± 13.5 kg, height 1.61 ± 0.21 cm. The main cause of mechanical ventilation was neurological in 36.4%, and pulmonary in 27.3%. Of all the microorganisms isolated, the one with the highest estimated rate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed drug resistance to all antibiotics.Conclusion: The use of the scale for evaluating patients with mechanical ventilation helps to identify the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Clinical characteristics of necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia in childhood / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of necrotizing pneumococcal pneu-monia in childhood,so as to estimate the prognosis and guide the therapy. Methods We retrospectively col-lected and analyzed the data of 15 necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia cases hospitalized in the pediatric de-partment of Shengjing Hospital from January 2008 to April 2011. The clinical features and treatment outcomes were analyzed,which included sex, age, maximum body temperature, hospital stay, duration of fever, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level. Fifteen strains of the clinical isolated streptococcus were ana-lyzed antimicrobial susceptibility test with the disk diffusion procedure,and eleven strains of them were ana-lyzed by with minimal inhibitory concentrations. Results All of 15 cases had fever and pleural effusion,1 case with extrapulmonary manifestations. In chest X-ray and CT scanning,the lesion location were on the left in 7 cases,on the right in 7 cases,bilateral in 1 case. All patients had increased white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. Fifteen strains of streptococcus pneumoniae were collected from clinic samples,which had high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,rifampicin,levofloxacin,no resistant strains appeared. We observed that the resistant rates of streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin was 7/15,and to erythromycin and clindamy-cin were 11/11 and 10/11. The average length of stay in hospital was 39 d and no death occurred during the hospitalization. Conclusion The treatment of necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia in childhood usually takes a longer time,and patients always have obvious symptoms. The drug-resisting of streptococcus pneu-moniae are serious,and children with necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia are easily complicated by pleural effusion. But through active treatment,the prognosis is good.

Gastos hospitalarios por neumonía neumocóccica invasora en adultos en un hospital general en Chile / Hospital charges by bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in adults in a general hospital

Pneumococcal infections are important for their morbidity and economic burden, but there is no economical data from adults patients in Chile. Aims. Estimate direct medical costs of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia among adult patients hospitalized in a general hospital and to evaluate the sensitivity of ICD 10 discharge codes to capture infections from this pathogen. Methods. Analysis of hospital charges by components in a group of patients admitted for bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, correction of values by inflation and conversion from CLP to US$. Results. Data were collected from 59 patients admitted during 2005-2010, mean age 71.9 years. Average hospital charges for those managed in general wards reached 2,756 US$, 8,978 US$ for those managed in critical care units (CCU) and 6,025 for the whole group. Charges were higher in CCU (p < 0.001), and patients managed in these units generated 78.3% of the whole cost (n = 31; 52.5% from total). The median cost in general wards was 1,558 US$, and 3,993 in CCU. Main components were bed occupancy (37.8% of charges), and medications (27.4%). There were no differences associated to age, comorbidities, severity scores or mortality. No single ICD discharge code involved a S. pneumoniae bacteremic case (0% sensitivity) and only 2 cases were coded as pneumococcal pneumonia (3.4%). Conclusions. Mean hospital charges (~6,000 US dollars) or median values (~2,400 US dollars) were high, underlying the economic impact of this condition. Costs were higher among patients managed in CCU. Recognition of bacteremic pneumococcal infections by ICD 10 discharge codes has a very low sensitivity.

Las infecciones neumocócicas representan una gran carga de morbilidad y de gastos en salud en pacientes adultos pero no se dispone de datos que hayan evaluado su dimensión económica en Chile. Objetivo: Evaluar los gastos directos en un grupo de pacientes adultos hospitalizados por neumonía neumocóccica bacterémica en un hospital general y evaluar la sensibilidad de los códigos de egreso CIE 10 para capturar las infecciones por este patógeno. Métodos: Análisis de gastos por componentes de un grupo de pacientes atendidos por neumonía neumocóccica bacteriémica, actualización de gastos y conversión a US$. Resultados: Se rescató información de 59 pacientes atendidos entre el 2005-2010, con edad promedio de 71,9 años. El gasto promedio en sala fue de 2.756 US$, de 8.978 US$ en Unidades Críticas y de 6.025 US$ para el grupo total. Los gastos fueron mayores en Unidades Críticas (p < 0,001) y los pacientes en estas unidades (n = 31; 52,5% del total) generaron el 78,3% del gasto total observado. La mediana de gastos en sala fue de 1.558 US$ y de 3.993 US$ en el caso de Unidades Críticas. El 37,8% del gasto se originó por día-cama y 27,4% por medicamentos. No hubo diferencias por edad, co-morbilidades, scores de gravedad o mortalidad. Ningún código CIE 10 involucró bacteriemia por S. pneumoniae (Sensibilidad 0%) y sólo 2 casos fueron codificados como neumonía neumocóccica (3,4%). Conclusiones: El gasto promedio (aprox. 6.000 dólares americanos) y mediana (aprox. 2.400 dólares americanos) fueron elevados evidenciando la importancia económica de esta enfermedad. Los gastos fueron mayores en pacientes manejados en Unidades Críticas. La sensibilidad de los códigos CIE 10 fue baja para reconocer eventos de ENI en esta serie.

Mass Chemoprophylaxis in Control of Pneumococcal Pneumonia Outbreak in a Military Training Centre.

Background: Outbreaks of streptococcal pneumonia among young recruits in military training centers are welldocumented. A signifi cant outbreak of pneumonia occurred between November 19, 2011 and February 4, 2012 among the young recruits of a large training center located in Southern India. Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to identify the cause of the outbreak, to control the outbreak at the earliest, and to provide future strategies for containing such an outbreak. Materials and Methods: The outbreak was investigated using standard epidemiological methods so as to describe its epidemiology, to identify the causative organism, to guide the outbreak control efforts, and to provide future strategies for containing such an outbreak. Results: Over 2 months, 58 cases of pneumonia occurred among the recruits of the center, giving an attack rate of 4.81 cases per 1,000 person-months. Radiological positivity was found in 72.4% of the cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) was grown in all the three bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. The outbreak rapidly ended following prophylaxis with oral azithromycin. Conclusions: This outbreak of pneumococcal disease occurred in the setting of intense military training and a crowded environment. Oral azithromycin was found to be the suitable strategy for control of the outbreak.

Lethality by pneumonia and factors associated to death / Letalidade por pneumonia e fatores associados ao óbito

OBJECTIVE: To describe the case-fatality rate (CFR) and risk factors of death in children with community-acquired acute pneumonia (CAP) in a pediatric university hospital. METHOD: A longitudinal study was developed with prospective data collected from 1996 to 2011. Patients aged 1 month to 12 years were included in the study. Those who left the hospital against medical orders and those transferred to ICU or other units were excluded. Demographic andclinical-etiological characteristics and the initial treatment were studied. Variables associated to death were determined by bivariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 871 patients were selected, of whom 11 were excluded; thus 860 children were included in the study. There were 26 deaths, with a CFR of 3%; in 58.7% of these, penicillin G was the initial treatment. Pneumococcus was the most common pathogen (50.4%). From 1996 to 2000, there were 24 deaths (93%), with a CFR of 5.8% (24/413). From 2001 to 2011, the age group of hospitalized patients was older (p = 0.03), and the number of deaths (p = 0.02) and the percentage of disease severity were lower (p = 0.06). Only disease severity remained associated to death in the multivariate analysis (OR = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.2-8.9; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: When the 1996-2000 and 2001-2011 periods were compared, a significant reduction in CFR was observed in the latter, as well as a change in the clinical profile of the pediatric in patients at the institute. These findings may be related to the improvement in the socio-economical status of the population. Penicillin use did not influence CFR. .

OBJETIVO: Descrever a taxa de letalidade (TL) e os fatores de risco de óbito em crianças com pneumonia grave adquirida na comunidade (CAP) em um hospital universitário pediátrico. MÉTODO: Foi desenvolvido um estudo longitudinal com dados prospectivos coletados de 1996 a2011. Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes com idade entre 1 mês e 12 anos de idade. Foram excluídos aqueles que deixaram o hospital desconsiderando as recomendações médicas e aqueles transferidos para UTI ou outras unidades. Foram estudadas as características demográficas, clínicas e etiológicas e o tratamento inicial. As variáveis associadas a óbito foram determinadas por análise bivariada e multivariada utilizando regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Foi selecionado um total de 871 pacientes, dos quais 11 foram excluídos; assim, foram incluídas no estudo 860 crianças. Houve 26 óbitos, com uma TL de 3%; em 58,7% desses, penicilina G foi o tratamento inicial. Pneumococo foi o patógeno mais comum (50,4%). De 1996 a 2000, houve 24 óbitos (93%), com uma TL de 5,8% (24/413). De 2001 a 2011, a faixa etária de pacientes internados foi mais velha (p = 0,03) e o número de óbitos (p = 0,02) e o percentual de gravidade das doenças foram menores (p = 0,06). Apenas a gravidade das doenças continuou associada a óbito na análise multivariada (RC = 3,2; IC de 95%: 1,2-8,9; p = 0,02). CONCLUSÃO: Quando os períodos de 1996-2000 e 2001-2011 foram comparados, foi observada uma redução significativa na TL no último período, bem como uma alteração no perfil clínico dos pacientes hospitalizados no instituto. Esses achados podem estar relacionados à melhora na situação socioeconômica da população. O uso de penicilina não influenciou a TL. .

Neumonía Neumocócica Bacteriémica en el adulto / Bacteremic Pneumococcal pneumonia in adult

Objetivo: el objetivo del trabajo fue describir los resultados encontrados en los pacientes con neumonía neumocócica bacteriémica en nuestro medio y compararlos con otros ensayos similares. Pacientes y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo de pacientes mayores de 15 años con neumonía aguda de la comunidad o neumonía intrahospitalaria con al menos un hemocultivo positivo para S. pneumoniae, internados desde enero 2004 hasta diciembre 2010. Resultados: se registraron 93 pacientes, 70 varones y 23 mujeres con una edad promedio de 50 años. La incidencia fue de siete casos cada 1.000 ingresos. Ningún paciente había recibido la vacuna antineumocócica antes de la internación. Se registraron 20 pacientes con HIV positivo y 5 pacientes con neumonía neumocócica intrahospitalaria. Los hábitos y comorbilidades más frecuente fueron el tabaquismo, etilismo, diabetes mellitus, EPOC, HIV y hepatopatía. Se constató en el grupo de bajo riesgo 42 pacientes. Se encontraron 87 muestras sensibles a penicilina, Se detectó una mortalidad del 9.6% y un promedio de once días de internación. El análisis multivariado determinó a las variables shock séptico y el alcoholismo como factores de riesgo de mortalidad. En 80 pacientes se redujo el tratamiento empírico endovenoso y en 46 se realizó de manera óptima. Conclusión: se describió en el trabajo la alta incidencia de neumonía neumocócica bacteriémica, los bajos niveles de resistencia del S. pneumoniae a la penicilina, la elevada reducción óptima antibiótica y el shock séptico y el alcoholismo como factores de riesgo de mortalidad

Objective: The objective was to describe the results found in patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in our environment and compare them with similar trials. Patients and Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients older than 15 years with acute community-acquired pneumonia or hospital-acquired pneumonia with at least one positive blood culture for S. pneumoniae, admitted from January 2004 to December 2010 was performed. Results: 93 patients, 70 males and 23 females were recorded with an average age of 50 years. The incidence was seven cases per 1000 admissions. No patient had received pneumococcal vaccine before admission. 20 HIV positive patients and 5 patients with nosocomial pneumococcal pneumonia were recorded. Habits and most frequent comorbidities were smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, COPD, HIV and liver disease. It was found in the group of 42 low-risk patients. 87 penicillin-sensitive samples were found, a mortality of 9.6% and an average of eleven days in hospital was detected. Multivariate analysis determined the septic shock variables and alcohol as risk factors for mortality. In 80 patients the treatment was reduced empirical intravenous and 46 was performed optimally. Conclusion: the work described in the high incidence of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, low levels of resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin, high optimal reduction and septic shock antibiotic and alcohol as risk factors for mortality

Progress of streptococcus pneumoniae infection and immunity / 国际儿科学杂志

Streptococcus pneumoniae( SP) is the leading pathogenic bacteria of invasive bacterial infec-tions in children. It can cause some life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia,meningitis and sepsis. Strepto-coccus pneumoniae frequently colonizes the upper respiratory tract. It is essential to know the host immune re-sponse during the infection. This paper reviews antigenic structure of SP,pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and pneumococcal virulence factors,especially focuses on the immune response including the effect of innate immu-nity,macrophage,neutrophil and T-cell.

Diagnosis of Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Current Pitfalls and the Way Forward / 감염과화학요법

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. However, it can also asymptomatically colonize the upper respiratory tract. Because of the need to distinguish between S. pneumoniae that is simply colonizing the upper respiratory tract and S. pneumoniae that is causing pneumonia, accurate diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia is a challenging issue that still needs to be solved. Sputum Gram stains and culture are the first diagnostic step for identifying pneumococcal pneumonia and provide information on antibiotic susceptibility. However, these conventional methods are relatively slow and insensitive and show limited specificity. In the past decade, new diagnostic tools have been developed, particularly antigen (teichoic acid and capsular polysaccharides) and nucleic acid (ply, lytA, and Spn9802) detection assays. Use of the pneumococcal antigen detection methods along with biomarkers (C-reactive protein and procalcitonin) may enhance the specificity of diagnosis for pneumococcal pneumonia. This article provides an overview of current methods of diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia and discusses new and future test methods that may provide the way forward for improving its diagnosis.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Pneumococcal and non-Pneumococcal Streptococcal Pneumonia / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Although Pneumococcal (SPN) pneumonia is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, non-pneumococcal streptococcal (NSPN) pneumonia is also frequently reported. However, there are insufficient data on characteristics of NSPN pneumonia which makes it difficult to decide treatment plans or to assess the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2002 and February 2009, medical records including clinical and epidemiological data on patients aged > or =18 years with community-acquired streptococcal pneumonia were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between community-acquired NSPN pneumonia and SPN pneumonia. RESULTS: During the 7 year study periods, 248 patients were hospitalized with community-acquired streptococcal pneumonia and 30 of them had NSPN pneumonia. There were 12 cases of Streptococcus constellatus, 7 cases of S. anginosus, 4 cases of S. mitis, 3 cases of S. pyogenes, 2 cases of S. oralis, 1 case of S. alactolyticus and 1 case of S. agalactiae. There was no difference in percentage of patients with a chronic underlying disease between SPN and NSPN pneumonia groups. The most common was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (SPN 29.8%, NSPN 16.7%) followed by diabetes mellitus (SPN 22.0%, NSPN 13.3%). Bacteremia (SPN 7.3%, NSPN 20.0%, P=0.04) and empyema (SPN 1.4%, NSPN 53.3%, P<0.001) were more common in NSPN pneumonia. However, there was no significant difference in the CURB-65 pneumonia severity score and 30-day mortality between the two groups. According to multivariate analysis results, the significant risk factor for NSPN pneumonia was the history of frequent alcohol drinking (Adjusted OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.36 to 10.67). CONCLUSION: Pneumonia caused by NPSN is more commonly accompanied by bacteremia and empyema compared to SPN pneumonia, but there was no difference in the 30-day mortality between the two groups. NSPN pneumonia should be considered if a patient with a history of chronic alcoholism presents with pneumonia and pleural effusion, especially when Gram positive diplococci is seen in the sputum Gram stain.

Utilidad de los hemocultivos en el tratamiento antimicrobiano de la neumonía neumocóccica bacteriémica en el adulto / Utility of blood cultures on antibiotic therapy in adult bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia

We evaluated the utility of blood cultures in the therapeutic management of patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia admitted to an internal medicine unit, in a retrospective observational study. Forty-nine patients were included, 75.5 percent were men, mean age 51.1 years. All S. pneumoniae strains were susceptible to penicillin. Four patients died. In 15.5 percent the treatment was modified narrowing antibiotic spectrum, in 51 percent cases it was changed to bencylpenicillin or amoxicillin exclusively, but only in 16 percent within the first 4 days. In 12 cases the prescription coincided with the oral switch therapy to amoxicillin. Due to the benefits and potential advantages of penicillin in diminishing the incidence of antibiotic resistance and reducing costs, it is important to work on prescription habits among physicians. This is especially important in the case of penicillin and the opportune moment of therapy change, improving the use of the microbiological report.

Evaluamos la utilidad de los hemocultivos en el manejo terapéutico de pacientes con neumonía neumocóccica bacteriémica internados en un servicio de clínica médica. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron 49 pacientes, 75,5 por ciento hombres, edad media 51,1 años. Todas las cepas de S. pneumoniae fueron susceptibles a penicilina. Fallecieron 4 pacientes. En 75,5 por ciento) se modificó el tratamiento con reducción del espectro antibacteriano, en 57 por ciento se cambió a bencilpenicilina o amoxicilina como único antimicrobiano, pero sólo en 16 por ciento se realizó dentro de los primeros cuatro días. En 12 casos la indicación coincidió con el cambio a vía oral por amoxicilina. Debido a los beneficios y ventajas potenciales de penicilina en mejorar el problema de la resistencia antimicrobiana, y en algunos casos reducir los costos, es importante trabajar sobre las prácticas de prescripción de los médicos clínicos, acerca de la indicación de penicilina y al momento oportuno del cambio, mejorando la utilización del informe microbiológico.

Impacto de la evaluación infectológica en el uso racional de antimicrobianos en pacientes con bacteriemia por Streptococcus pneumoniae / Impact of infectious diseases specialist evaluation on the rational use of antibiotics in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia

The increasing reporting of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to penicillin has lead to the recommendation of third generation cephalospirins for the treatment of serious pneumococcal infections. As a consequence, clinicians usually do not prescribe first line antibiotics despiste the availability of susceptibility studies. Whit the aim to evaluate the impact of the infectious diseases specialist evaluation in the apropriate use oh the susceptibility studies, two series were compared: a historic control one (1998-2002, n = 50) and a prospectuve group that had the advisement of one infectious diseases specialist (2003-2006, n = 60). In both series, pneumonia stood out as the source of the bacteremia, and -alcoholism/hepatic insufficiency as associated factor. In the first series, 48 isolates resulted susceptible to penicillin by agar diffusion, and 1 out of 36 patients with pneumonia had a change in the antibiotic therapy to penicillin. In the prospective series, we found 56 susceptible isolates, and the remaining four were classified as intermediate susceptibility according to the MIC value. Antibiotics were changed in 36 out of 50 patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (p < 0.05). The infectious diseases specialist evaluation had a positive impact on the use of the microbiological information for therapeutics purposes.

La descripción creciente de Streptococcus pneu-moniae resistente a penicilina, ha llevado a la recomendación de emplear cefalosporinas de tercera generación para el tratamiento de las infecciones neumo-cócicas graves. Como consecuencia, los médicos clínicos no prescriben, usualmente, antimicrobianos de primera línea, a pesar de disponer de estudios de susceptibilidad in vitro. Con el propósito de evaluar el impacto de la asesoría del infectólogo para el uso adecuado de los estudios de susceptibilidad, se compararon dos series: un control histórico (1998-2002, n = 50) y un grupo prospectivo en que sí hubo asesoría infectológica (2003-2006, n = 60). En ambas series, la neumonía fue el foco principal de bacteriemia y alcoholismo/falla hepática los factores asociados más frecuentes. En el primer grupo, 48 aislados resultaron susceptibles a penicilina por prueba de difusión en agar y en uno de 36 pacientes con neumonía, se efectuó cambio en la terapia antimicrobiana a bencilpeni-cilina. En el grupo prospectivo, hubo 56 cepas susceptibles y las cuatro restantes fueron clasificadas como de susceptibilidad intermedia, de acuerdo con los valores de CIM. Se cambió de antimicrobiano en 36 de 50 pacientes con neumonía neumocóccica bacteriémica (p < 0,05). La evaluación hecha por el infectólogo tuvo un impacto positivo en el uso de información micro-biológica con fines terapéuticos.

Evaluation of a nested-PCR assay for Streptococcus pneumoniae detection in pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia / Evaluación de una PCR anidada en pacientes pediátricos para diagnóstico de neumonía neumocócica adquirida en la comunidad

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the usefulness of a simplified method for DNA extraction coupled to a nested-PCR protocol, based on the amplification of pneumolysin gene fragments for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia in pediatric patients with clinical and radiological evidence of bacterial infection. Bacterial DNA was extracted from sera by boiling and used without further purification in the PCR for the pneumolysin gene. None toxic reagents were used and the necessary steps to obtain the DNA were left at a minimum; furthermore, it overcomes the use of expensive commercial kits for DNA purification. The total procedure can be completed the same day of sampling and, most important, it avoids the use of sophisticated technology. Both in vitro analytical specificity and sensitivity (10 CFU/ml) of the assay were similar to those previously reported. When clinical samples were tested, the rate of positivity was shown to be 83.3% and 71% in pediatric patients with positive (group a) and negative blood cultures (group b), respectively. In group a, DNA detection was successful in samples from children without treatment or with less than 48 h of antibiotic therapy. None amplification was obtained from sera patients with viral infection or in samples from healthy controls. The application of the strategy described in this paper substantially seems to improve the diagnostic process in a determinate group: blood culture-negative children with pneumonia.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la utilidad de un método simplificado para extracción de ADN, acoplado a un protocolo de PCR anidada, basada en la amplificación de fragmentos del gen de la neumolisina para el diagnóstico de neumonía neumocócica en niños con evidencias clínicas y radiológicas de infección bacteriana. El ADN bacteriano fue extraído del suero por calentamiento y utilizado en la PCR para el gen de la neumolisina sin purificación posterior. Para la obtención de ADN no se utilizan reactivos tóxicos ni costosos "kits" comerciales. El procedimiento completo puede ser realizado en el día y lo que es más importante, evita el uso de tecnología sofisticada. La especificidad analítica in vitro y la sensibilidad (10 UFC/ml) del ensayo fueron similares a lo hallado en publicaciones anteriores. El porcentaje de muestras positivas fue del 83,3% y del 71% en los pacientes con hemocultivos positivos (grupo a) y negativos (grupo b), respectivamente. En el grupo a, sólo se obtuvieron resultados positivos mediante la PCR anidada en los pacientes no tratados o con menos de 48 hs de tratamiento antibiótico. No se obtuvieron señales de amplificación en los sueros de los pacientes con infecciones virales ni en las muestras del grupo control. La aplicación de la estrategia descripta incrementa la posibilidad diagnóstica de neumonía neumocócica en niños con hemocultivos negativos.

Research on HRCT-Pathologic Correlation of Alveolitis Induced by Pneumococcus and Bleomycin / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the image profiles and pathological manifestations of lung damages induced by Bleomycin(BLM) or pneumococcus,and to further elucidate the characteristic image profiles and its pathologic basis of pulmonary fibrosis.Methods 90 SD ratswere divided randomly into BLM group,pneumonia group and control group,the models were made by intratracheal instilling of BLM,pneumococcus and saline respectively.At the different time,HRCT scans were performed in all rats.The pulmonary specimens of rats were observed on pathology.Results Images of concentrated density in lung was observed in both BLM and pneumonia groups in early stage.In BLM groups,the areas of concentrated density image mainly surrounding main bronchus,were larger than that of pneumococcal pneumonia groups.And the images of fibre were seen in lungs of BLM-treated rats in 7 days.The correlation-observation of pathology showed,a lot of neutrophil and macrophages infiltrating in lungs of both groups,with a lot of exudates in the alveolus in pneumococcal pneumonia groups.Otherwise,the hyperplasia of fibroblasts was observed in the lung interstitium in the 5-7 day groups treated by BLM.Conclusion The imaging findings of alveolitis caused by BLM is of some different characteristic in comparison with that caused by pneumococcus.

Studies on the C-reactive protein I. Observations on normal Filipinos and hospital patients

The demonstration of the C-reactive protein in the serum of patients in the acute phase of an infection has been used principally as a measure of the activity of certain disease processes, particularly, rheumatic fever, (6)(7)(8). The clinician who has to institute therapeuitc regimen for such patients has to judge the efficacy of his treatment by clinical signs and symptoms as well as by laboratory tests and herein has the C-reactive protein determination been most useful. For this reason, many of the local clinicians who avail themselves of tests for the presence of this protein begin to associate the test with rheumatic fever and this as a specific test for the diseaseThe observations included in this study stresses mainly two things. It demonstrates the specificity of the presence of the C-reactive protein in serum as an evidence of the occurrence of some pathologic condition, for this active component is not detectable in normal individuals as shown by the results among normal Filipino medical students, none of whom gave a precipitate with the specific C-reactive protein antiserum. The converse of this statement is not implied, however, for it does not follow that any pathologic condition should give a positive CRP testOn the other hand, the active component can be demonstrated in a very diverse group of clinical conditions as shown in Table I. The number of positive results obtained in this study is not to be taken as an indication of any difference in the frequency of appearance of the protein in the different clinical conditions listed. The number merely represent the availability of clinical material subjected to the testThese results, therefore, corroborate previous observations and emphasizes the fact that the C-reactive protein is an abnormal protein in human serum not found among normal individuals and that the appearance of the C-reactive protein is a non-specific reaction and therefore cannot be used as a diagnostic criterion for any one single clinical condition.