Behavior of clinical and humoral variables on admission as predictors of death in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Comparative study between adults and older adults. / Comportamiento de variables clínicas y humorales al ingreso, como predictores de fallecimiento en pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Estudio comparativo entre adultos y adultos mayores

Community-acquired pneumonia is recognized as one of the main infectious health problems worldwide. The objective was to determine the condition of predictors of death for a group of selected clinical conditions, and for laboratory variables frequently used in practice. Study with descriptive design, which included 967 patients with pneumonia hospitalized between 2016 and 2019, and whose information was obtained from clinical records. Statistical treatment included bivariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression); it was used the ratio of crossed products (odds ratio) and its 95% confidence interval. Several manifestations were significantly more frequent in older adults: dyspnea (OR 1.5[1.07,2.1]), absence of productive cough (OR 1.7 [1.3, 2.4]), neuropsychological manifestations (OR 2 [1.4,2.8]), tachypnea (OR 1.5 [1.1,2.1]), arterial hypotension (OR 2.1 [1.2,3.6]), anemia (OR 1.6[1.2,2.2]), elevated creatinine (OR 1.6[1.2,2.3]) and hypoproteinemia (OR 3.3[1.9,5.7]); showed a significant association with death: absence of productive cough, neuropsychological manifestations, temperature below 36 degrees Celsius, blood pressure below 110/70 mmHg, respiratory rate above 20 per minute, hemoglobin below 100 g/L, erythrosedimentation greater than 20 mm/L, leukopenia less than 5 x 109/L and serum creatinine above 130 micromol/L. As conclusions certain clinical and laboratory conditions present in the patient at the time of hospital admission, of routine exploration in the comprehensive assessment of the patient, were predictors of death. Additionally, the existence of evident differences in the number of conditions with a predictive nature of death between the population with pneumonia under 60 years of age and the elderly, as well as in the frequency of these conditions in both subgroups, is verified.

La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad está reconocida como uno de los principales problemas de salud de tipo infeccioso al nivel mundial. La investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar el carácter de predictores de fallecimiento de un grupo de condiciones clínicas seleccionadas, y de variables de laboratorio de uso frecuente en la práctica. Se realizó un estudio con diseño descriptivo, que incluyó a 967 pacientes con neumonía hospitalizados entre 2016 y 2019, y cuya información se obtuvo de los expedientes clínicos. El tratamiento estadístico incluyó análisis bivariante y multivariado (regresión logística); como estadígrafo se utilizó la razón de productos cruzados (odds ratio) y su intervalo de confianza de 95%. Entre los resultados se destacan los siguientes: varias manifestaciones fueron significativamente más frecuentes en los adultos mayores: disnea (OR 1,5[1,07;2,1]), ausencia de tos productiva (OR 1,7[1,3;2,4]), manifestaciones neuropsicológicas (OR 2[1,4;2,8]), taquipnea (OR 1,5[1,1;2,1]), hipotensión arterial (OR 2,1[1,2;3,6]), anemia (OR 1,6[1,2;2,2]), creatinina elevada (OR 1,6[1,2;2,3]) e hipoproteinemia (OR 3,3[1,9;5,7]); mostraron asociación significativa con el fallecimiento: ausencia de tos productiva, manifestaciones neuropsicológicas, temperatura por debajo de 36 grados Celsius, tensión arterial inferior a 110/70 mmHg, frecuencia respiratoria por encima de 20 por minuto, hemoglobina inferior a 100 g/L, velocidad de sedimentación eritrocitaria superior a 20 mm/L, leucopenia inferior a 5 x 109/L y creatinina sérica por encima de 130 micromol/L. Se concluye que ciertas condiciones clínicas y de laboratorio presentes en el paciente al momento del ingreso hospitalario, de exploración habitual en la valoración integral del enfermo, constituyeron predictores de fallecimiento. Adicionalmente, se comprueba la existencia de evidentes diferencias en el número de condiciones con carácter predictor de muerte entre la población con neumonía menor de 60 años y los adultos mayores, así como en la frecuencia de estas condiciones en ambos subgrupos.

Utilidad de la proteína C reactiva sérica en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del adulto inmunocompetente hospitalizado por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Immunocompetent adults hospitalized for a community-acquired pneumonia: Serum C-reactive protein as a prognostic marker

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is used to monitor patients' response during treatment of infectious diseases. Morbidity and mortality associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is high, particularly in hospitalized patients. Better risk prediction during hospitalization could improve management and ultimately reduce mortality rates. Aim: To evaluate CRP measured at admission and the third day of hospitalization as a predictor for adverse events in CAP. Material and Methods: A prospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized with CAP at an academic hospital. Major adverse outcomes were admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospital length of stay, hospital complications and 30-day mortality. Predictive associations between CRP (as absolute levels and relative decline at third day) and adverse events were analyzed. Results: Eight hundred and twenty-three patients were assessed, 19% were admitted to ICU and 10.6% required mechanical ventilation. The average hospital stay was 8.8 ± 8.2 days, 42% had nosocomial complications and 8.1% died within 30 days. Ninety eight percent of patients had elevated serum CRP on admission to the hospital (18.1 ± 14.1 mg/dL). C-reactive protein measured at admission was associated with the risk of bacterial pneumonia, bacteremic pneumonia, septic shock and use of mechanical ventilation. Lack of CRP decline within three days of hospitalization was associated with high risk of complications, septic shock, mechanical ventilation and prolonged hospital stay. Conclusions: CRP responses at third day of hospital admission was a valuable predictor of adverse events in hospitalized CAP adult patients.

Do N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels determine the prognosis of community acquired pneumonia? / Os níveis de pró-peptídeo natriurético cerebral N-terminal determinam o prognóstico de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade?

ABSTRACT Objective: Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, especially in the elderly. The use of clinical risk scores to determine prognosis is complex and therefore leads to errors in clinical practice. Pneumonia can cause increases in the levels of cardiac biomarkers such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The prognostic role of the NT-proBNP level in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of the NT-proBNP level in patients with CAP, as well as its correlation with clinical risk scores. Methods: Consecutive inpatients with CAP were enrolled in the study. At hospital admission, venous blood samples were collected for the evaluation of NT-proBNP levels. The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and the Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age ≥ 65 years (CURB-65) score were calculated. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality within the first 30 days after hospital admission, and a secondary outcome was ICU admission. Results: The NT-proBNP level was one of the best predictors of 30-day mortality, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.735 (95% CI: 0.642-0.828; p < 0.001), as was the PSI, which had an AUC of 0.739 (95% CI: 0.634-0.843; p < 0.001), whereas the CURB-65 had an AUC of only 0.659 (95% CI: 0.556-0.763; p = 0.006). The NT-proBNP cut-off level found to be the best predictor of ICU admission and 30-day mortality was 1,434.5 pg/mL. Conclusions: The NT-proBNP level appears to be a good predictor of ICU admission and 30-day mortality among inpatients with CAP, with a predictive value for mortality comparable to that of the PSI and better than that of the CURB-65 score.

RESUMO Objetivo: A pneumonia é uma das principais causas de mortalidade no mundo, especialmente em idosos. O uso de escores de risco clínico para determinar o prognóstico é complexo e, portanto, leva a erros na prática clínica. A pneumonia pode causar aumento nos níveis de biomarcadores cardíacos, como o N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, pró-peptídeo natriurético cerebral N-terminal). O papel prognóstico do nível de NT-proBNP na pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) continua incerto. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o papel prognóstico do nível de NT-proBNP em pacientes com PAC, bem como sua correlação com escores de risco clínico. Métodos: Pacientes consecutivos internados com PAC foram incluídos no estudo. Na internação hospitalar, foram coletadas amostras de sangue venoso para avaliação dos níveis de NT-proBNP. Foram calculados o Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI, Índice de Gravidade de Pneumonia) e o escore Confusão mental, Ureia, frequência Respiratória, Blood pressure (pressão arterial) e idade ≥ 65 anos (CURB-65). O desfecho primário de interesse foi mortalidade por todas as causas nos primeiros 30 dias após a admissão hospitalar, e um desfecho secundário foi admissão na UTI. Resultados: O nível de NT-proBNP foi um dos melhores preditores de mortalidade em 30 dias, com uma área sob a curva (ASC) de 0,735 (IC95%: 0,642-0,828; p < 0,001), assim como o PSI, que teve uma ASC de 0,739 (IC95%: 0,634-0,843; p < 0,001), enquanto CURB-65 teve uma ASC de apenas 0,659 (IC95%: 0,556-0,763; p = 0,006). O nível de corte do NT-proBNP que mostrou ser o melhor preditor de admissão na UTI e de mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 1.434,5 pg/ml. Conclusões: O nível de NT-proBNP parece ser um bom preditor de admissão na UTI e de mortalidade em 30 dias entre pacientes internados com PAC, com um valor preditivo para mortalidade comparável ao do PSI e superior ao do CURB-65.

Proteína 3 contendo um domínio NACHT, porção C-terminal rica em repetições de leucina e de domínio pirina e LL-37: valor prognóstico de novos biomarcadores em pneumonia adquirida na comunidade / NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing Protein 3 and LL-37: prognostic value of new biomarkers in community-acquired pneumonia

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os níveis séricos de proteína 3 contendo um domínio NACHT, porção C-terminal rica em repetições de leucina e de domínio pirina (NLRP3) e catelicidina LL-37, bem como investigar sua importância prognóstica em pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC). Métodos Este estudo prospectivo incluiu 76 pacientes com PAC. Foram obtidos dados demográficos e características clínicas. Os níveis séricos de NLRP3 e LL-37 foram determinados por meio do teste ELISA. A correlação entre NLRP3 e LL-37 foi estimada por intermédio da análise de Spearman. A associação entre NLRP3 e LL-37 com 30 dias de taxa de sobrevida e de mortalidade foi avaliada pela curva de Kaplan-Meier e análise de regressão logística. Resultados Os níveis séricos de NLRP3 estavam elevados, enquanto os níveis de LL-37 apresentaram redução significativa em pacientes com PAC grave. Observou-se correlação significativa entre os níveis séricos de NLRP3 e LL-37 em pacientes com PAC. Pacientes com níveis elevados de NLRP3 e níveis reduzidos de LL-37 exibiram maior taxa de sobrevida em 30 dias e de mortalidade quando comparados com aqueles com níveis inferiores de NLRP3 e LL-37. Conclusões Pacientes com PAC grave tendem a apresentar níveis séricos elevados de NLRP3 e níveis reduzidos de LL-37, o que pode ser utilizado como um potencial biomarcador prognóstico.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to determine the serum levels of NACHT, Leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and Pyrin (PYD) domains-containing Protein 3 (NLRP3) and cathelicidin LL-37, and investigate their prognostic significance in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods The sample of this prospective study was composed of 76 consecutive patients with CAP. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected. Serum levels of NLRP3 and LL-37 were determined by ELISA. Spearman's analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between NLRP3 and LL-37. Association of NLRP3 and LL-37 with 30-day survival and mortality rates was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve and logistic regression analysis. Results Serum NLRP3 significantly increased whereas serum LL-37 significantly decreased in patients with severe CAP. Significant correlation was observed between serum NLRP3 and LL-37 in CAP patients. Patients with higher levels of NLRP3 and lower levels of LL-37 showed lower 30-day survival rate and higher mortality compared with those with lower NLRP3 and higher LL-37 levels. Conclusion Severe CAP patients tend to present higher serum NLRP3 and lower serum LL-37, which might serve as potential biomarkers for CAP prognosis.

Valor prognóstico da procalcitonina em pacientes com infecções do trato respiratório inferior no ambiente hospitalar / Prognostic value of procalcitonin in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections

RESUMO Infecções do trato respiratório inferior são condições frequentes e potencialmente letais, consistindo nas principais causas de prescrição inadequada de antibióticos. A caracterização de sua gravidade e a predição prognóstica dos pacientes acometidos auxiliam na condução, permitindo maior acerto nas decisões sobre a necessidade e o local de internação, assim como a duração do tratamento. A incorporação de biomarcadores às estratégias classicamente utilizadas representa estratégia promissora, com destaque para a procalcitonina. O objetivo deste artigo foi apresentar uma revisão narrativa sobre a potencial utilidade e as limitações do uso da procalcitonina como um marcador prognóstico em pacientes hospitalizados portadores de infecções do trato respiratório inferior. Os estudos publicados sobre o tema são heterogêneos, no que tange à variedade de técnicas de mensuração da procalcitonina, seus valores de corte, os contextos clínicos e a gravidade dos pacientes incluídos. Os dados obtidos indicam valor moderado da procalcitonina para predizer o prognóstico de pacientes com infecções do trato respiratório inferior, não superior a metodologias classicamente utilizadas, e com utilidade que se faz notar apenas quando interpretados junto a outros dados clínicos e laboratoriais. De modo geral, o comportamento da procalcitonina, ao longo dos primeiros dias de tratamento, fornece mais informações prognósticas do que sua mensuração em um momento isolado, mas faltam informações sobre a custo-efetividade dessa medida em pacientes em terapia intensiva. Estudos que avaliaram o papel prognóstico da procalcitonina inicial em pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade apresentam resultados mais consistentes e com maior potencial de aplicabilidade prática, mas com utilidade limitada a valores negativos para a seleção de pacientes com baixo risco de evolução desfavorável.

ABSTRACT Lower respiratory tract infections are common and potentially lethal conditions and are a major cause of inadequate antibiotic prescriptions. Characterization of disease severity and prognostic prediction in affected patients can aid disease management and can increase accuracy in determining the need for and place of hospitalization. The inclusion of biomarkers, particularly procalcitonin, in the decision taken process is a promising strategy. This study aims to present a narrative review of the potential applications and limitations of procalcitonin as a prognostic marker in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections. The studies on this topic are heterogeneous with respect to procalcitonin measurement techniques, cutoff values, clinical settings, and disease severity. The results show that procalcitonin delivers moderate performance for prognostic prediction in patients with lower respiratory tract infections; its predictive performance was not higher than that of classical methods, and knowledge of procalcitonin levels is most useful when interpreted together with other clinical and laboratory results. Overall, repeated measurement of the procalcitonin levels during the first days of treatment provides more prognostic information than a single measurement; however, information on the cost-effectiveness of this procedure in intensive care patients is lacking. The results of studies that evaluated the prognostic value of initial procalcitonin levels in patients with community-acquired pneumonia are more consistent and have greater potential for practical application; in this case, low procalcitonin levels identify those patients with a low risk of adverse outcomes.

Evaluación de predictores clínicos de bacteriemia en adultos hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Evaluation of clinical predictors of bacteremia in adults hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia

OBJETIVO: Identificar elementos clínicos sencillos que hagan posible determinar adecuadamente los casos con mayor probabilidad de presentar aislamientos bacterianos en los hemocultivos. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles con pacientes internados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad entre 1998 y 2009, definiéndose como casos a los pacientes que presentaron hemocultivos positivos y como controles a aquellos con hemocultivos negativos. Se registraron variables demográficas y clínicas y se las sometió a un análisis bivariado. Las que presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos fueron introducidas en un modelo de regresión logística para definir predictores independientes y generar un modelo de predicción clínica. RESULTADOS: De los 322 pacientes estudiados, 15,2 por ciento tuvo hemocultivos positivos. Diez variables mostraron diferencias significativas, pero solo tres (temperatura <38°C, sodio <135 mEq/L y puntaje CURB-65) fueron seleccionadas para el análisis multivariado. El modelo desarrollado mostró escasa capacidad para predecir el resultado de los hemocultivos (R² = 0,176; Hosmer-Lemeshow: P = 0,338). CONCLUSIONES: Los datos obtenidos en esta serie no evidenciaron elementos clínicos con capacidad suficiente para predecir el resultado de los hemocultivos.

OBJECTIVE: Identify simple clinical elements that can be used to adequately determine the cases with the highest probability of presenting bacterial isolates in blood cultures. METHODS: Case-control study with patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia from 1998-2009. Patients with positive blood cultures were defined as cases, and patients with negative blood cultures were defined as controls. The demographic and clinical variables were recorded and a bivariate analysis was conducted. The variables with statistically significant differences between the groups were introduced in a logistic regression model in order to define the independent predictors and generate a clinical prediction model. RESULTS: A total of 15.2 percent of the 322 patients studied had positive blood cultures. Ten variables showed significant differences, but only three variables (temperature <38°C, sodium <135 mEq/L and CURB-65 score) were selected for the multivariate analysis. The model developed showed limited capacity to predict the result of the blood cultures (R² = 0.176; Hosmer-Lemeshow: P = 0.338). CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this series did not demonstrate clinical elements with sufficient capacity to predict the result of the blood cultures.

Sero diagnosis of Legionella infection in community acquired pneumonia.

Background & objectives: Legionella pneumophila has been increasingly recognized as an emerging pathogen responsible for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. In India, the actual burden is not known. The present study was thus undertaken to see the presence of Legionella infection in patients with community acquired pneumonia admitted in a tertiary care centre in north India. Methods: Both children and adults (n=113) with symptoms of pneumonia were included in the study. Clinical samples (blood, urine, nasopharyngeal aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, etc.) were collected and subjected to culture and other tests. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done by commercial kits for all the three classes of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM & IgA). Urinary antigen was also detected using commercial kits. Culture was performed on 51 respiratory tract fluid samples. Serum samples of 44 healthy controls were also screened for the presence of anti-legionella antibodies (IgG, IgM & IgA). Results: Thirty one of the 113 cases (27.43%) were serologically positive. Anti-legionella IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were positive in 7.96, 15.92 and 11.50 per cent patients respectively. In controls, seropositivity was 9.09 (4/44). IgA was positive in 3 and IgM, IgG combined in one. Antigenuria detection by Microwell ELISA kit showed 17.69 per cent positivity. Four antigenuria positive patients were also serologically positive; of these two patients were positive for IgM, hence considered as confirmed cases of Legionella infection. None of the sample was culture positive. Interpretation & conclusions: Combination of serology and antigenuria detection may be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of Legionella infection in absence of culture positivity. In order to evaluate the actual burden of Legionella in community acquired pneumonia, further studies with larger samples need to be done.

The association between plasma D-dimer levels and community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Plasma D-dimer levels are directly related to the intra- and extra-vascular coagulation that occurs in acute and chronic lung damage in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). OBJECTIVES: This study examines the relationship between the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and D-dimer levels. In addition, the study examines the correlations among community-acquired pneumonia, the radiological extent of the disease and mortality. METHODS: The Pneumonia Severity Index was used to classify patients into five groups. Patients were treated at home or in the hospital according to the guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein with an injector and placed into citrated tubes. After they were centrifuged, the samples were evaluated with the quantitative latex method. RESULTS: The study included 60 patients who had been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (mean age 62.5 ± 11.7) and 24 healthy controls (mean age 59.63 ± 6.63). The average plasma D-dimer levels were 337.3 ± 195.1ng/mL in the outpatient treatment group, 691.0 ± 180.5 in the inpatient treatment group, 1363.2 ± 331.5 ng/mLin the intensive care treatment group and 161.3 ± 38.1ng/mL in the control group (p<0.001). The mean D-dimer plasma level was 776.1 ± 473.5ng/mL in patients with an accompanying disease and 494.2 ± 280.1 ng/mL in patients without an accompanying disease (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma D-dimer levels were increased even in community-acquired pneumonia patients who did not have an accompanying disease that would normally cause such an increase.

Role of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in Differentiation of Tuberculosis from Bacterial Community Acquired Pneumonia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the utility of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for differentiating pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) from bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in South Korea, a country with an intermediate TB burden. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study, enrolling 87 participants with suspected CAP in a community-based referral hospital. A clinical assessment was performed before treatment, and serum CRP and PCT were measured. The test results were compared to the final diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients, 57 had bacterial CAP and 30 had pulmonary TB. The median CRP concentration was 14.58 mg/dL (range, 0.30 to 36.61) in patients with bacterial CAP and 5.27 mg/dL (range, 0.24 to 13.22) in those with pulmonary TB (p<0.001). The median PCT level was 0.514 ng/mL (range, 0.01 to 27.75) with bacterial CAP and 0.029 ng/mL (range, 0.01 to 0.87) with pulmonary TB (p<0.001). No difference was detected in the discriminative values of CRP and PCT (p=0.733). CONCLUSIONS: The concentrations of CRP and PCT differed significantly in patients with pulmonary TB and bacterial CAP. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value for differentiating pulmonary TB from bacterial CAP suggest a supplementary role of CRP and PCT in the diagnostic exclusion of pulmonary TB from bacterial CAP in areas with an intermediate prevalence of pulmonary TB.

C-reactive protein levels and decrease of albumin levels in hospitalized elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

AIM: To obtain: (1) the correlation between initial CRP level on admission with the decrease of albumin level during hospitalization, (2) the mean difference in initial CRP level between the groups of patients with and without decrease of albumin level during hospitalization, and (3) the risk difference of decreasing albumin level in patients with high CRP levels on the admission compared to whom with low CRP level on the admission, in hospitalized elderly patients with CAP. METHODS: A prospective cohort study were conducted on 23 hospitalized elderly patients with CAP. Subjects with diseases and conditions that could interfere with CRP and albumin level besides pneumonia infection were excluded. The patient's CRP level was measured upon the initiation of the study, while the patient's albumin level was measured on the first and fifth day of hospitalization to observe changes that took place during 5 days of hospitalization. Pearson's correlation test, independent t-test, and chi-square test were used to answer the objectives of the study. RESULTS: We found that there were negative correlation between the initial CRP level and the percentage of albumin level decrease during 5 days of hospitalization (r=-0.442, p= 0.035) and significance difference in the mean initial CRP level between patients with and without decreasing albumin level (mean difference 99.69 mg/L, 95%CI 13.25 to 186.13 mg/L; P 0.026). The risk difference of decreasing albumin level during hospitalization between patients with high and low initial CRP levels did not attained statistical significance (RR 2.12. 95%CI 0.26 to 29.07; p=0.621). CONCLUSION: In hospitalized elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia with high initial CRP levels tend to experience a decrease in albumin level during hospitalization.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Pediatric Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Pleural Effusion

This study investigated the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in children with community-acquired pneumonia. Serum VEGF levels were measured in patients with pneumonia (n=29) and in control subjects (n=27) by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pneumonia group was classified into bronchopneumonia with pleural effusion (n=1), bronchopneumonia without pleural effusion (n=15), lobar pneumonia with pleural effusion (n=4), and lobar pneumonia without pleural effusion (n=9) groups based on the findings of chest radiographs. We also measured serum IL-6 levels and the other acute inflammatory parameters. Serum levels of VEGF in children with pneumonia were significantly higher than those in control subjects (p<0.01). Children with lobar pneumonia with or without effusion showed significantly higher levels of serum VEGF than children with bronchopneumonia. For lobar pneumonia, children with pleural effusion showed higher levels of VEGF than those without pleural effusion. Children with a positive urinary S. pneumonia antigen test also showed higher levels of VEGF than those with a negative result. Serum IL-6 levels did not show significant differences between children with pneumonia and control subjects. Serum levels of VEGF showed a positive correlation with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the children with pneumonia. In conclusion, VEGF may be one of the key mediators that lead to lobar pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion.

Etiologies and treatment outcomes for out-patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Most patients with community-acquired pneumonia are treated as out-patients with empirical therapy, since initially the etiologic agent is unknown. We prospectively assessed the etiologies and treatment outcomes of pneumonia from February 2003 to 2004 at ambulatory clinics. Forty-four patients were included with a mean age of 49.2 (SD 18.2) years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.4. The incubation period was 6.9 (SD 4.4) days. Half of the patients were healthy. Asthma and COPD were common in patients with underlying diseases. The etiologic diagnosis was determined by a sputum culture and a serology test of paired serum samples. Hemo-culture produced no growth in any patients. Atypical pathogens and H. influenzae were the most common finding, each occurring in 31.8% of the patients followed by S. pneumoniae and H. parainfluenzae (27.3% each). Twenty-two patients were infected with multiple pathogens. C. pneumoniae was the most common co-infecting pathogen. Two of 12 S. pneumoniae isolates were penicillin resistant. Nine of 14 H. influenzae isolates were cotrimoxazole resistant and 8 of 14 were not sensitive to erythromycin. For H. parainfluenzae, 11 of 12 isolates were not sensitive to erythromycin, and 7 of 12 were not sensitive to cotrimoxazole. Oral antibiotics were prescribed as out-patient treatment. Forty patients (90.9%) improved, with symptoms-score improvement averaging 6.4 days. Four patients got worse and needed a change of antibiotics, the symptoms usually worsen within 3-5 days. We conclude that, antibiotics for CAP out-patients should cover atypical pathogens, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and H. parainfluenzae. If the clinical symptoms do not respond after 3-5 days of out-patient treatment, resistance or an unusual organism (eg B. pseudomallei) should be considered.