Utilidad del panel de PCR multiplex en el diagnóstico microbiológico temprano y adecuación antimicrobiana en pacientes críticos con neumonía / Usefulness of the multiplex PCR panel in the early microbiological diagnosis and antimicrobial suitability in critical patients with pneumonia / Utilidade do painel de PCR multiplex no diagnóstico microbiológico precoce e adequação antimicrobiana em pacientes críticos com pneumonia

Resumen: Introducción: el inicio temprano de la antibioticoterapia adecuada en infecciones graves se asocia con reducción de la mortalidad. La identificación precoz del microorganismo es fundamental para realizar un tratamiento dirigido y disminuir la terapéutica inicial inapropiada. Objetivo: valorar la utilidad de una técnica de biología molecular por amplificación de ácidos nucleicos mediante reacción en cadena de polimerasa en tiempo real para diagnóstico microbiológico temprano y adecuación de la antibioticoterapia en pacientes con neumonías graves. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo observacional llevado a cabo en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Maciel. Se analizaron muestras respiratorias de pacientes con diagnóstico o sospecha de neumonía. Se compararon los resultados microbiológicos obtenidos por técnicas convencionales y por biología molecular multiplex (panel neumonía). Resultados: se incluyeron 53 muestras obtenidas de 51 pacientes. El multiplex detectó al menos un microorganismo en 38 (71,7%) muestras frente a 30 (56.6%) desarrollos en cultivos tradicionales. La mayoría de las muestras se obtuvieron bajo antibioticoterapia previa (86.8%). El panel neumonía mostró un porcentaje de concordancia positiva combinado de 100% y un porcentaje de concordancia negativa del 94% para la identificación bacteriana en comparación con los métodos microbiológicos tradicionales. En 27 (51%) casos el resultado del panel de neumonía determinó un cambio en la conducta terapéutica. Conclusiones: la técnica de PCR permite la identificación temprana de microorganismos causantes de neumonía optimizando la terapéutica empírica inicial y racionalizando el uso de antimicrobianos. Un panel negativo aleja el planteo de infección respiratoria a gérmenes habituales y permite considerar diagnósticos diferenciales en cuanto a foco y/o etiología.

Summary: Introduction: the early initiation of the adequate antibiotic therapy in severe infections is associated to a reduction in mortality. Early identification of the microorganism is essential to define directed therapy and decrease the initial inadequate treatment. Objective: to assess usefulness of a molecular biology technique by nucleic acid amplification through a polymerase chain reaction in real time for an early microbiological diagnosis and correction of the antibiotic therapy in patients with severe pneumonias. Method: retrospective, observational study conducted in the intensive care unit of Maciel Hospital. The respiratory samples of patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia or suspicious to have pneumonia were analyzed. The microbiological results obtained were compared using conventional techniques and multiplex molecular biology (pneumonia panel). Results: 53 samples obtained from 51 patients were included in the study. Multiplex detected at least one microorganism in 38 (71.7%) samples compared to 30 (56.6%) in traditional cultures. Most samples were obtained under the previous antibiotic therapy (86.8%). The pneumonia panel showed a combined positive agreement percentage of 100% and a negative agreement of 94% for the identification of bacteria when compared to the traditional microbiological methods. In 27 cases (51%) the pneumonia panel results determined changing the therapeutic behavior. Conclusions: the PCR technique allows for the early identification of microorganisms causing pneumonia, thus optimizing initial empirical therapy and rationalizing the use of antibiotics. A negative panel reduces the suspicion of a respiratory infection caused by the usual germs and enables considering differential diagnosis in terms of etiology or cause.

Resumo: Introdução: o início precoce da antibioticoterapia adequada em infecções graves está associado à redução da mortalidade. A identificação precoce do microrganismo é essencial para realizar o tratamento dirigido e reduzir o uso inicial inadequado de antimicrobianos. Objetivo: avaliar a utilidade de uma técnica de biologia molecular para amplificação de ácidos nucleicos por reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real para diagnóstico microbiológico precoce e adequação da antibioticoterapia em pacientes com pneumonia grave. Metodologia: estudo observacional retrospectivo realizado na unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Maciel. Amostras respiratórias de pacientes com diagnóstico ou suspeita de pneumonia foram analisadas. Os resultados microbiológicos obtidos por técnicas convencionais e por biologia molecular multiplex (painel de pneumonia) foram comparados. Resultados: foram incluídas 53 amostras obtidas de 51 pacientes. O multiplex detectou pelo menos um microrganismo em 38 (71,7%) amostras em comparação com 30 (56,6%) usando culturas tradicionais. A maioria das amostras foi obtida com antibioticoterapia prévia (86,8%). O painel de pneumonia mostrou uma concordância percentual positiva combinada de 100% e uma concordância percentual negativa de 94% para identificação bacteriana em comparação com métodos microbiológicos tradicionais. Em 27 (51%) casos, o resultado do painel de pneumonia determinou mudança no comportamento terapêutico. Conclusões: a técnica de PCR permite a identificação precoce de microrganismos causadores de pneumonia, otimizando a terapia empírica inicial e racionalizando o uso de antimicrobianos. Um painel negativo afasta a suspeita de infecção respiratória pelos germes usuais e permite considerar diagnósticos diferenciais em termos de foco e/ou etiologia.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátrica / Community-acquired pneumonia in the pediatric intensive care unit / Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica

RESUMEN Introducción: En el Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Pedro Agustín Pérez" de Guantánamo no se ha caracterizado la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad. Objetivo: Identificar el perfil de esta enfermedad en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del citado hospital en el periodo 2016-2019. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo. El universo estuvo constituido por todos los ingresados en este periodo (N=153). Se estudió el sexo, edad, diagnóstico microbiológico, terapéutica antimicrobiana, aplicación de ventilación mecánica, procederes realizados, complicaciones, estadía, estado al egreso y causa directa de muerte. Los resultados se presentaron en tablas y se resumieron mediante frecuencias absolutas y acumuladas. Resultados: La mayor proporción de los pacientes fueron varones con edad entre 1 y 4 años de edad (30,7 %). El Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el más común (38,5 %). Las cefalosporinas fueron los fármacos más prescritos (36,0 %). El 16,3 % requirió ventilación mecánica y el 22,9 % presentó alguna complicación, la más común fue el derrame pleural paraneumónico (21,5 %). El 96,4 % egresó vivo y la principal causa de muerte fue el choque séptico (57,2 %). Conclusiones: La neumonía continúa siendo una patología frecuente en la edad pediátrica al igual que el predominio del sexo masculino. Después de la introducción de la vacunación, el Streptococcus pneumoniae ha emergido como el principal patógeno bacteriano a cualquier edad, con un predominio importante en los menores de 5 años.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Severe community-acquired pneumonia has not been characterized at the Pediatric Teaching Hospital ¨Pedro Agustín Pérez¨ in Guantanamo. Objective: To profile this affection at the Intensive Care Unit of the already cited institution in the period 2016-2019. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out. The study population was made out of all the patients in the intensive care unit in that period of time (N=153). The variables analyzed were: gender, age, microbiological diagnosis, antimicrobial therapy, mechanical ventilation application, medical procedures applied, complications, in-hospital stay, state at the time of discharge and cause of death. Results were presented in tables and were summed up in absolute and cumulative frequencies. Results: Most patients were male, ranging from 1 to 4 years of age (30.7%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common infection (36.0%). 16.3% if the cases required mechanical ventilation and the 22.9% presented some complication, the most common being the parapneumonic pleural effusion (22.5%). 96.4% of the patients were discharged alive, and the main cause of death was septic shock (57.2%). Conclusions: Pneumonia remains a frequent pathology in patients in pediatric age; and prevails in male patients as well. After vaccination campaigns started, the Streptococcus pneumoniae emerged as the main bacterial pathogen to cause infections at any age, especially in patients below the 5 years of age.

RESUMO Introdução: No Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Pedro Agustín Pérez" de Guantánamo, pneumonia grave adquirida na comunidade não foi caracterizada. Objetivo: Identificar o perfil desta doença na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do referido hospital no período 2016-2019. Método: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, longitudinal e retrospectivo. O universo era composto por todos os admitidos neste período (N=153). Foram estudadas sexo, idade, diagnóstico microbiológico, terapia antimicrobiana, aplicação de ventilação mecânica, procedimentos realizados, complicações, permanência, estado na alta e causa direta do óbito. Os resultados foram apresentados em tabelas e resumidos por meio de frequências absolutas e cumulativas. Resultados: A maior proporção de pacientes eram homens entre 1 e 4 anos (30,7%). Streptococcus pneumoniae foi o mais comum (38,5%). As cefalosporinas foram os medicamentos mais prescritos (36,0%). 16,3% necessitaram de ventilação mecânica e 22,9% apresentaram alguma complicação, sendo a mais comum o derrame pleural parapneumônico (21,5%). 96,4% tiveram alta com vida e a principal causa de morte foi choque séptico (57,2%). Conclusões: A pneumonia continua sendo uma patologia frequente na idade pediátrica, assim como a predominância do sexo masculino. Após a introdução da vacinação, Streptococcus pneumoniae surgiu como o principal patógeno bacteriano em qualquer idade, com predomínio significativo em crianças menores de 5 anos.

Effect of coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria on host damage / Efecto de la coinfección por virus de la influenza y bacterias en el daño al hospedero

Abstract Background: Influenza virus infection is often complicated by a bacterial infection, with this coinfection causing severe pneumonia. If not timely treated, the disease can cause death. Objective: To demonstrate, in animal models, that coinfection with influenza virus and bacteria that affect the respiratory tract causes multisystemic damage. Method: Six groups of mice were formed: a control group, one infected with the influenza virus, two infected with bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively; and two co-infected with influenza virus and Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively. Results: Of the six groups of mice, only the group co-infected with influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae showed damage to thoracic and abdominal organs. A decrease in serum cytokine levels was found in all study groups, which was more pronounced in the co-infected mice. Conclusions: The groups of mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza virus alone showed no damage, which indicates that coexistence of these infections caused the damage in the group of co-infected mice.

Resumen Antecedentes: La infección por el virus de la influenza con frecuencia se complica con una infección bacteriana, coinfección que provoca cuadros graves de neumonía, la cual puede ocasionar la muerte si no es tratada en forma oportuna. Objetivo: Demostrar en modelos animales que la coinfección por el virus de la influenza y bacterias que afectan el tracto respiratorio ocasiona daño multisistémico. Método: Se formaron seis grupos de ratones: un grupo control, uno infectado de virus de la influenza, dos infectados de bacterias: Haemophilus influenzae y Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectivamente; y dos coinfectados de virus de la influenza y Haemophilus influenzae y Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectivamente. Resultados: De los seis grupos de ratones, solo en el grupo coinfectado de virus de la influenza y Streptococcus pneumoniae se observó daño en órganos torácicos y abdominales. En todos los grupos se encontró disminución de los niveles séricos de las citocinas, mayor en los ratones coinfectados. Conclusiones: Los grupos de ratones infectados solo de Streptococcus pneumoniae o el virus de la influenza no presentaron daños, lo cual indica que la coexistencia de estas infecciones fue la que ocasionó el daño en el grupo de ratones coinfectados.

Evaluación de la viabilidad de Legionella pneumophila en muestras de agua / Evaluation of the viability of Legionella pneumophila in water samples

Introducción: Legionella pneumophila se sitúa entre los principales agentes causales de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad y de origen nosocomial. La inhalación de aerosoles potencialmente contaminados con la bacteria, producto de la colonización de redes y otros sistemas que utilizan agua, representa un peligro para la salud de los individuos expuestos. Objetivo: evaluar la viabilidad de L. pneumophila en muestras de agua almacenadas en diferentes intervalos de tiempo para el diagnóstico por cultivo microbiológico de Legionella spp. Métodos: Se contaminaron artificialmente muestras de agua con dos cepas de L. pneumophila de serogrupos diferentes y la conformación de una mezcla de ellas, para un total de 15 muestras. Los frascos contaminados fueron procesados a las 24 h, 72 h, 7 días, 14 días y 21 días. Se realizó cultivo microbiológico según ISO 11731: 2004 y PNO 03-013: 2015. Resultados: Se demostró viabilidad de la bacteria en muestras almacenadas hasta 21 días. El método de concentración por filtración resultó tener los mayores recobrados del microorganismo. Conclusiones: El tiempo de almacenamiento de las muestras afecta la viabilidad de L. pneumophila. Sienta las bases para estudios posteriores de robustez del diagnóstico de L. pneumophila como parte del servicio que presta el Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de la Defensa Civil en los programas de prevención y control Legionella spp. en instalaciones de interés turístico e industrial(AU)

Introduction: Legionella pneumophila is one of the main causative agents of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Inhalation of sprays potentially contaminated with the bacterium, due to the colonization of networks and other systems using water, is a hazard to the health of exposed individuals. Objective: Evaluate the viability of L. pneumophila in samples of water stored at various time intervals for the microbiological culture diagnosis of Legionella spp. Methods: Water samples were artificially contaminated with two strains of L. pneumophila from different serogroups and a mixture of them, for a total of 15 samples. The contaminated vessels were processed at 24 h, 72 h, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d. Microbiological culture was performed in compliance with ISO 11731: 2004 and PNO 03-013: 2015. Results: The bacterium was found to be viable in samples stored up to 21 days. The filtration concentration method obtained the greatest amount of the microorganism. Conclusions: Storage time of the samples affects the viability of L. pneumophila. The study lays the foundations for further research about the validity of L. pneumophila diagnosis as part of the service offered by the Civil Defense Scientific Research Center in Legionella spp. prevention and control programs for tourist and industrial facilities(AU)

Infecção respiratória aguda baixa em crianças indígenas guarani, brasil / Acute lower respiratory infection in guarani indigenous children, brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o perfil clínico e o tratamento realizado nas crianças da etnia Guarani menores de cinco anos hospitalizadas por infecção respiratória aguda baixa (IRAB), residentes em aldeias nos estados do Rio de Janeiro ao Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos: Das 234 crianças, 23 foram excluídas (dados incompletos), sendo analisadas 211. Os dados foram extraídos dos prontuários por meio de formulário. Com base no registro de sibilância e padrão radiológico, a IRAB foi classificada em: bacteriana, viral e viral-bacteriana. Foi utilizada regressão multinomial para análise bivariada. Resultados: A mediana de idade foi de 11 meses. Do total da amostra, os casos de IRAB foram assim distribuídos: viral (40,8%), bacteriana (35,1%) e viral-bacteriana (24,1%). Verificou-se que 53,1% das hospitalizações não possuíam evidências clínico-radiológico-laboratoriais que as justificassem. Na análise de regressão multinomial, ao comparar a IRAB bacteriana com a viral-bacteriana, a chance de ter tosse foi 3,1 vezes maior na primeira (intervalos de 95% de confiança - IC95% 1,11-8,70) e de ter tiragem 61,0% menor (Odds Ratio - OR 0,39, IC95% 0,16-0,92). Na comparação da IRAB viral com a viral-bacteriana, a chance de ser do sexo masculino foi 2,2 vezes maior na viral (IC95% 1,05-4,69) e de ter taquipneia, 58,0% menor (OR 0,42, IC95% 0,19-0,92) na mesma categoria. Conclusões: Identificou-se maior proporção de processos virais do que processos bacterianos, bem como a presença de infecção viral-bacteriana. A tosse foi um sintoma indicativo de infecção bacteriana, enquanto a tiragem e a taquipneia apontaram infecção viral-bacteriana. Parte da resolubilidade da IRAB não grave ocorreu em âmbito hospitalar; portanto, propõe-se que os serviços priorizem ações que visem à melhoria da assistência à saúde indígena na atenção primária.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical profile and treatment of Brazilian Guarani indigenous children aged less than five years hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), living in villages in the states from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: Of the 234 children, 23 were excluded (incomplete data). The analysis was conducted in 211 children. Data were extracted from charts by a form. Based on record of wheezing and x-ray findings, ALRI was classified as bacterial, viral and viral-bacterial. A bivariate analysis was conducted using multinomial regression. Results: Median age was 11 months. From the total sample, the ALRI cases were classified as viral (40.8%), bacterial (35.1%) and viral-bacterial (24.1%). It was verified that 53.1% of hospitalizations did not have clinical-radiological-laboratorial evidence to justify them. In the multinomial regression analysis, the comparison of bacterial and viral-bacterial showed the likelihood of having a cough was 3.1 times higher in the former (95%CI 1.11-8.70), whereas having chest retractions was 61.0% lower (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.16-0.92). Comparing viral with viral-bacterial, the likelihood of being male was 2.2 times higher in the viral (95%CI 1.05-4.69), and of having tachypnea 58.0% lower (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.19-0.92). Conclusions: Higher proportion of viral processes was identified, as well as viral-bacterial co-infections. Coughing was a symptom indicative of bacterial infection, whereas chest retractions and tachypnea showed viral-bacterial ALRI. Part of the resolution of non-severe ALRI still occurs at hospital level; therefore, we concluded that health services need to implement their programs in order to improve indigenous primary care.

Microorganismos causantes de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Microrganismos que causam pneumonia adquirida na comunidade no município de Guantánamo / Microorganisms that cause pneumonia acquired in the community in Guantanamo

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) es una de las infecciones más frecuentes en el ámbito mundial, su incidencia es variable y está relacionada con la edad, presencia de enfermedades concomitantes y algunos factores de riesgo específicos como tabaquismo y abuso de alcohol. Objetivo: identificar los microorganismos causantes de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad a partir de la muestra de esputo expectorado. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y trasversal de enero a junio de 2016. El universo de estudio estuvo formado por 88 pacientes, lo que también constituyó la muestra, con diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad realizado por el médico de familia. Se aplican procedimientos de laboratorio descritos en literatura de reconocido prestigio internacional. Resultados: se identifican 72 (81,8 por ciento) muestras de esputo productivo, de las cuales son positivas al cultivo bacteriológico 56 (77,7 por ciento) muestras. Predominaron las´Pseudomonasa eruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter y Aspergillus spp. se encontraron en menor medida. Conclusiones: se identifican Klebsiellap neumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influezae y Achromobacter sp. como microorganismos productores de neumonía en la comunidad, mostrando marcada resistencia a diversos antimicrobianos(AU)

Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most frequent infections in the world; its incidence is variable and is related to age, presence of concomitant diseases and some specific risk factors such as: smoking and alcohol abuse. Objective: to identify the microorganisms that cause pneumonia acquired in the community from the expectorated sputum sample. Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2016. The studied universe was compound by 88 patients, who also constituted the sample, with clinical and radiological diagnosis of pneumonia acquired in the community by the family doctor. Laboratory procedures were applied described in literature and were recognized internationally. Results: 72 (81.8 percent) sputum samples were identified, of which 56 (77.7 percent) samples are positive for bacterial culture. Pseudomonas eruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia were more found than Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter and Aspergillus spp. Conclusions: Klebsiellap pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influezae and Achromobactersp are identified as microorganisms that produce pneumonia in the community, showing marked resistance to various antimicrobials(AU)

Introdução: a pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) é uma das infecções mais comuns em todo o mundo, a sua incidência é variável e está relacionada com a idade, presença de doenças concomitantes e alguns fatores de risco específicos, tais como tabagismo e etilismo. Objetivo: identificar organismos causadores de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade a partir de amostra de expectoração. Método: um estudo descritivo transversal de janeiro foi realizada de junho de 2016. O grupo de estudo consistiu de 88 pacientes, que também constituíram a amostra com diagnóstico clínico e radiológico de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade pelo médico de família. Procedimentos laboratoriais descritos em literatura de reconhecido prestígio internacional são aplicados. Resultados: foram identificadas 72 (81,8 por cento) amostras de escarro, das quais 56 (77,7 por cento) amostras são positivas para cultura bacteriana. Pseudomonasa eruginosa predominante, Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter e Aspergillus spp. eles foram encontrados em menor grau. Conclusões: Klebsiellap pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae e Achromobactersp foram identificado. como microrganismos que produzem pneumonia na comunidade, mostrando uma resistência acentuada a vários antimicrobianos(AU)

Septic Pulmonary Embolism Requiring Critical Care: Clinicoradiological Spectrum, Causative Pathogens and Outcomes

OBJECTIVES: Septic pulmonary embolism is an uncommon but life-threatening disorder. However, data on patients with septic pulmonary embolism who require critical care have not been well reported. This study elucidated the clinicoradiological spectrum, causative pathogens and outcomes of septic pulmonary embolism in patients requiring critical care. METHODS: The electronic medical records of 20 patients with septic pulmonary embolism who required intensive care unit admission between January 2005 and December 2013 were reviewed. RESULTS: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome developed in 85% of the patients, and acute respiratory failure was the most common organ failure (75%). The most common computed tomographic findings included a feeding vessel sign (90%), peripheral nodules without cavities (80%) or with cavities (65%), and peripheral wedge-shaped opacities (75%). The most common primary source of infection was liver abscess (40%), followed by pneumonia (25%). The two most frequent causative pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (50%) and Staphylococcus aureus (35%). Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors had significantly higher serum creatinine, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, and they were significantly more likely to have acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulation and lung abscesses. The in-hospital mortality rate was 30%. Pneumonia was the most common cause of death, followed by liver abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with septic pulmonary embolism who require critical care, especially those with pneumonia and liver abscess, are associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, surgical intervention and respiratory support are essential.

Neumonías en el inmunocomprometido: perspectiva desde el diagnóstico por imágenes, e inferencia Bayesiana / Pneumonia in the inmunocompromised host: perspective through images diagnosis and a Bayesian inference

Introduction: The population of immunocompromised patients has increased in recent decades. Many of these patients eventually present infectious complications including pneumonia, which is a diagnostic that must to be prompt and accurate. Objective: To review the basis of the diagnosis of pneumonia in the immunocompromised patient. Sorted by the methodology of Bayesian inference, very relevant in the diagnostic attribution, we review the main basis of the diagnosis of pneumonia of immunocompromised patients: the epidemiology, the clinical history including the type of immunosuppression that weigh the likelihood of attribution a priori of an etiologic agent, and finally, the findings in the image (or likelihood function). Conclusion: Although in general the findings are not pathognomonic and there is much overlap in the images, there are several features that orient in one direction or another. Proper assessment of the prior probability and the likelihood function is allowing ultimately a good diagnostic proposition.

Introducción: La población de pacientes inmunocomprometidos se ha incrementado en las últimas décadas. Gran parte de estos pacientes presenta en algún momento complicaciones infecciosas, entre ellas la neumonía, lo que constituye un desafío diagnóstico que debe ser rápido y acertado. Objetivo: Revisar las bases del diagnóstico de las neumonías del paciente inmunocomprometido. Ordenados por la metodología de la inferencia Bayesiana, muy relevante en la atribución diagnóstica, destacamos y revisamos los pilares fundamentales en el diagnóstico de las neumonías del inmunocomprometido: la epidemiología, los antecedentes clínicos incluyendo el tipo de inmunodepresión, que pesan en la probabilidad de atribución a priori de un agente etiológico, y finalmente, los hallazgos en la imagen (o función de verosimilitud). Conclusión: Los hallazgos de imagen que, aunque en general no son patognomónicos y existe mucha superposición, presentan algunas características que orientan en una u otra dirección. La adecuada valoración de la probabilidad a priori y la función de verosimilitud son las que permiten en definitiva una buena proposición diagnóstica.

Neumonía asociada al cuidado de la salud / Healthcare associated pneumonia

La neumonía asociada al cuidado de la salud (NACS) es una entidad diferente a la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad y a la neumonía intrahospitalaria. Existen circunstancias de riesgo para su desarrollo, se describen diferentes formas de presentación, gravedad y patógenos; y hay desacuerdo sobre el tratamiento empírico inicial. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la etiología, las características clínicas y la evolución de la NACS en un hospital general. Estudio prospectivo observacional con 60 pacientes; 32 con internación previa en los últimos 90 días, 9 en hemodiálisis, 12 residentes en hogares asistenciales y 7 en tratamiento en un hospital de día. El promedio de edad fue de 63 años; los índices de gravedad al ingreso fueron elevados. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron las cardiológicas. El compromiso radiológico abarcó más de un lóbulo en el 42% de los casos y un 18% mostró derrame pleural. Se aisló el germen patógeno en 18 pacientes (30%); Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el más aislado (9 casos). Solo hubo un caso de multirresistencia. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 11 días; 6 pacientes presentaron complicaciones, y la mortalidad fue del 5%. Las complicaciones, aunque no la mortalidad, fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo en diálisis (valor de p: 0.011 y 0.056, respectivamente). Los cuadros fueron graves pero la mortalidad fue baja. La resistencia antibiótica hallada no justifica un cambio en el esquema antibiótico usado habitualmente en las neumonías de la comunidad.

Healthcare associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a different entity from community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia. There exist several risk factors that lead to it. Different features, severity and pathogens are described and there is controversy about the initial empirical treatment. The aim of this work was to analyze the etiology, clinical characteristics and evolution of the HCAP. It is a prospective and observational study that includes 60 patients; 32 had previous hospitalization during the last 90 days, 9 were under hemodialysis, 12 residents in nursing homes and 7 received outpatient intravenous therapy.The mean age was 63 years and the severity index was high. The most frequent comorbidities were cardiac. The radiological compromise was more than one lobe in 42% of cases and 18% had pleural effusion. Germ isolation was obtained in 30% of patients where the most isolated germ was Streptococcus pneumoniae (9 cases). There was only one case of multidrug-resistance. The mean length hospital stay was 11 days, six patients had complications and mortality was 5%. Complications but not mortality were significantly higher in the group of patients on hemodialysis (p value = 0.011 and 0.056 respectively). The antibiotic-resistance found do not justify a change in the antibiotic treatment commonly used for community acquired pneumonia.

Comparison of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Community-Acquired and Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia

PURPOSE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as an important cause of not only healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) but also community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We determined the impact of MRSA on differences in clinical characteristics, courses, and outcomes between CAP and HCAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study on 78 adult patients admitted with MRSA pneumonia at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between January 2008 and December 2011. We compared baseline characteristics, chest radiographs, treatment outcomes, and drug resistance patterns between the CAP and HCAP groups. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients with MRSA pneumonia, 57 (73.1%) were HCAP and 21 (26.9%) were CAP. MRSA infection history in the previous year (29.8% vs. 14.3%, p=0.244) tended to be more common in HCAP than in CAP. Despite similar Pneumonia Severity Index scores (151 in CAP vs. 142 in HCAP), intubation rates (38.1% vs. 17.5%; p=0.072) and intensive care unit admission (42.9% vs. 22.8%; p=0.095) tended to be higher in the CAP group, while 28-day mortality was higher in the HCAP group (14.3% vs. 26.3%; p=0.368), although without statistical significance. All patients showed sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid; meanwhile, HCAP patients showed greater resistance to gentamicin than CAP patients (58.3% vs. 16.6%; p=0.037). The median total hospital charges were 6899 American dollars for CAP and 5715 American dollars for HCAP (p=0.161). CONCLUSION: MRSA pneumonia showed significantly differences in baseline characteristics, chest radiographs, treatment outcomes, and medical expenses between HCAP and CAP groups.

Prevalence of chlamydophila pneumoniae in patients with pneumonia in the Main University Hospital in Alexandria

Pneumonia is a common illness in all parts of the world. It is a major cause of death among all age groups and is the leading cause of death in children in low income countries. This prospective study was done at Department of chest diseases and microbiology from January 2011 to July 2011. A total of 60 patients, with pneumonia were included in the study. The present study was conducted on 60 patients with pneumonia who have been admitted to the Chest Department in the Main University Hospital in Alexandria [55 patients] and El Maamoura Chest Hospital [5 patients] in the period from January 2011 to April 2011. The patients were subdivided into 2 groups: group I includes 30 patients with CAP and group II includes 30 patients with HAP; 16 patients with COPD, 7 patients with bronchial asthma, 4 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and 3 patients with ILF. We can conclude that, Chlamydophila pneumoniae cannot be ignored as a cause of pneumonia. ELISA is an excellent screening test because of its high sensitivity for detection of C. pneumoniae while PCR is more accurate because of its high sensitivity and high specificity in diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection.DM is a risk factor for C. pneumoniae infection

Evaluación de la actividad de diferentes antimicrobianos frente a Streptococcus pneumoniae provenientes de pacientes adultos con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Evaluation of different antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae from adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumoniae es el principal agente etiológico bacteriano de infecciones del tracto respiratorio y en los últimos años hemos asistido a la emergencia de aislamientos con múltiples resistencias. Durante los años 2008 y 2009 se estudiaron 59 aislamientos de S. pneumoniae provenientes de hemocultivos y materiales respiratorios, de pacientes con neumonía, a los cuales se les determinó la susceptibilidad a diferentes antimicrobianos. No se observó resistencia a penicilina por vía parenteral (endovenosa), amoxicilina,ceftriaxona ni carbapenemes. La resistencia a cefuroxima oral y parenteral fue 3.4% y 5.1% respectivamente. El 15.2% de los aislamientos presentó sensibilidad intermedia a la penicilina por vía oral con CIM entre 0.125 y 1 μg/ml. Sólo 1/59 aislamientos fue resistente a levofloxacina (CIM= 8 μg/ml) y sensible a gatifloxacina (CIM= 0,5 μg/ml).La resistencia a eritromicina fue 20.3% y el fenotipo predominante fue el M (eflujo) confirmado por la presencia del gen mef. La resistencia a tetraciclina fue 6.8% y no se observó resistencia a tigeciclina (CIM90= 0.5 μg/ml). Todos los aislamientos fueron sensibles a vancomicina, linezolid y rifampicina, mientras que el 21.4% presentó resistencia a trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol. En conclusión, penicilina parenteral (intravenosa) y amoxicilina, independientemente de la vía de administración, continúan siendo losantimicrobianos β-lactámicos más adecuados para el tratamiento empírico de las neumonías, mientras que los macrólidos deberían utilizarse con precaución por el alto porcentaje de resistencia. Aunque la resistencia a levofloxacina continúa baja, consideramos que deberían utilizarse en situaciones que lo ameriten y en las dosis adecuadas para prevenir la selección de mutantes resistentes.

Steptococcus pneumoniae is the main etiologic bacterial agent of respiratory tract infections and in recent years emergence of isolates with multiple resistance has been observed.During the years 2008 and 2009 we studied 59 S. pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures and respiratory materials from patients with pneumonia and tested theirsusceptibility to different antimicrobials. There was no resistance to parenteral penicillin (intravenous), amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and carbapenems. To oral and parenteral cefuroxime the resistance was 3.4% and 5.1% respectively; 15.2% of the isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to oral penicillin with MICs between 0.125 and 1 μg/ml. Only 1/59 isolates was resistant to levofloxacin (MIC = 8 μg/ml) but it was susceptible to gatifloxacin (MIC = 0.5 μg/ml). Erythromycin resistance was 20.3% and the predominant phenotype was M(efflux) confirmed by the presence of the mef gene. Tetracycline resistance was 6.8% and there was no resistance to tigecycline (CIM90 = 0.5 μg/ml). All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and rifampicin. The resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was 21.4%. In conclusion, parenteral (intravenous) penicillin and amoxicillin, independentlyof the way of administration, remain the antimicrobial β-lactams most suitablefor the empirical treatment of pneumonia, while macrolides should be used with caution because of the high proportion of resistance. Although levofloxacin resistance remainslow, we consider it should only be used in special situations and in adequate doses in order to prevent the selection of resistant mutants.

Etiología de la neumonía en pacientes chilenos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Etiology of pneumonia in Chilean HIV-infected adult patients

Objectives: To establish the etiology of pneumonia and to compare the yield of diagnostic techniques for diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in HIV-1-infected patients. Patients and Methods: Subjects underwent sputum induction and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen, silver stain (SS) and immunofluorescense staining (IF) for P. jiroveci, fluorescent stain for mycobacteria, PCR for P. jiroveci andM. tuberculosis, aerobic, fungal and mycobacterial cultures, respiratory viruses and CMV cultures were performed on the sputum and BAL. IgM for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophyla pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila urinary antigen were also obtained. Results: Sixty patients were included. An etiologic diagnosis was made in 97 percent. Pneumocystisjiroveci was the most frequent etiology (58 percent) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (12 percent), and Mycobacterium avium complex (12 percent). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in 5 percent. Conclusions: The comparison of diagnostic methods for P. jiroveci showed a higher sensitivity of IF and SS in BAL than in sputum, however PCR was equally sensitive in both samples. With this approach a precise etiologic diagnosis was reached in the great majority of patients. The most common etiology was P. jiroveci. IF in BAL remains the gold standard for diagnosis of P. jiroveci pneumonia.

Objetivos: Establecer la etiología de la neumonía y comparar el rendimiento de diferentes técnicas para el diagnóstico de las infecciones por Pneumocystis jiroveci y Mycobacterium tuberculosis en pacientes con infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Material y Métodos: De cada paciente se obtuvo esputo inducido y se efectuó LBA. A las muestras obtenidas se les realizó tinciones de Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen, plata e inmunofluores-cencia (IF) para P. jiroveci y M. tuberculosis; reacción de polimerasa en cadena (RPC) para ambos microorganismos; cultivos aeróbicos, fúngicos, para micobacterias, virus respiratorios y citomegalovirus. También se realizó determinación de IgM de Mycoplasma pneumoniae y Chlamydophyla pneumoniae y antígeno urinario de Legionella pneumophila. Resultados: Se incluyeron 60 pacientes, lográndose diagnóstico etiológico en 97 por ciento de los casos. Pneumocystis jiroveci fue la etiología más frecuente (58 por ciento), seguida por Streptococcus pneumoniae (12 por ciento) y Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (12 por ciento). Mycobacterium tuberculosis fue encontrado en 5 por ciento. Conclusiones: La comparación de los métodos diagnósticos para P. jiroveci mostró una mayor sensibilidad de la IF y tinción de plata en LBA que en esputo; sin embargo, la RPC fue igualmente sensible en ambos tipos de muestras. Con esta estrategia se logró establecer etiología en la gran mayoría de los pacientes. La etiología más común fue P. jiroveci. IF en LBA sigue siendo el estándar para el diagnóstico de la neumonía por P. jiroveci.

Rapid, cost-effective, sensitive and quantitative detection of Acinetobacter baumannii from pneumonia patients

Pneumonia with Acinetobacter baumannii has a major therapeutic problem in health care settings. Decision to initiate correct antibiotic therapy requires rapid identification and quantification of organism. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and sensitive method for direct detection of A. baumannii from respiratory specimens. A Taqman real time PCR based on the sequence of bla[oxa-51] was designed and used for direct detection of A. baumannii from 361 respiratory specimens of patients with pneumonia. All specimens were checked by conventional bacteriology in parallel. The new real time PCR could detect less than 200 cfu per ml of bacteria in specimens. There was agreement between the results of real time PCR and culture [Kappa value 1.0, p value < 0.001]. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of real time PCR were 100%. The prevalence of A. baumannii in pneumonia patients was 10.53% [n = 38]. Poly-microbial infections were detected in 65.71% of specimens. Acinetobacter baumannii is the third causative agent in nosocomial pneumonia after Pseudomonas aeroginosa [16%] and Staphylococcus aureus [13%] at Tehran hospitals. We recommend that 10[4] CFU be the threshold for definition of infection with A. baumannii using real time PCR

Características de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad por neumococo y micoplasma / Characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia due to neumococcus and mycoplasma

Se estudiaron en forma prospectiva pacientes con diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) con criterios de internación con el objetivo de determinar las características clínicas, radiológicas, bioquímicas y evolutivas en pacientes con diagnóstico microbiológico definitivo y evaluar si existen diferencias entre las neumonías causadas por neumococo y micoplasma. Se incluyeron durante un periodo de observación de 24 meses, 49 neumonías producidas por Streptococcus pneumoniae con aislamiento en hemocultivo y 22 por Mycoplasma pneumoniae diagnosticados por PCR de hisopado nasofaríngeo (HNF). Se evaluaron la edad, comorbilidades, cuadro clínico, variables de laboratorio y radiológicas, evolución clínica y criterios de severidad. Nuestro grupo tenía un promedio de edad de 57años, con un elevado porcentaje de comorbilidades y de valores de Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). Se observó una tendencia no significativa en los casos con micoplasma a ser más añosos, con mayor porcentaje de comorbilidades; y en los casos de etiología por neumococo, mayor porcentaje de hipotensión, hipoalbuminemia severa, compromiso de más de un lóbulo, alteraciones hepáticas y requerimiento de UTI; la única diferencia significativa fue el desarrollo de compromiso renal para neumococo.En la población estudiada no existieron variables que permitieran predecir el agente etiológico.

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) meeting the criteria for hospitalization and with a definitive etiological diagnosis were prospectively studied. The objective was to determine their clinical, radiological, biochemical and evolutionary characteristics and to assess whether there are differences between pneumonia caused by pneumococcus and mycoplasma. During an observation period of 24 months, 49 CAP cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures and 22 CAP cases caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae diagnosed by PCR testing of oropharyngeal swabs were included. The age of patients, presence of comorbidities, clinical picture, laboratory and radiological variables, clinical evolution and degree of severity were evaluated. The mean age of the group was 57 years old with a high percentage of comorbidities and a high Pneumonia Severity Index. Patients with Mycoplasma showed a non significant tendency of being older and having a greater number of comorbidities. In the cases with Streptococcus pneumoniae, a greater percentage of hypotension, severe hypoalbuminemia, compromise of more than one lobe, liver abnormalities and hospitalization in the ICU were observed. The only significant difference was the development of renal failure in patients with Pneumococcus. In the studied population there were no variables which could have a predictive value of the causative agent.

The pattern of distribution of pneumonic consolidation in experimental peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and/or Mannheimia Hemolytica Infection in West African dwarf goats / Patrón de distribución de la consolidación pneumónica en infección experimental con virus peste des petits ruminants (PPRV) y/o mannheimia hemolítica en cabras enanas del Oeste Africano

The study into the pattern of distribution of the lung consolidation associated with common viral and bacterial pneumonia and their co-infection in subsaharan goats is scanty in literatures. Fifty apparently healthy West Africa Dwarf goats (WAD) six months of age were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into groups A, B, and C with 15 goats each while 5 goats served as control. Group A goats infected with 1ml of pure culture (1 X 109 CFU) of Mannheimia haemolytica MH A2, while group B with 1ml of pure cultured 106.5 TCID50 PPR virus grown in Baby hamster kidney cell lines and group C with 1 ml of PPRV and a week later 1ml of MH A2. The degree of consolidation or pneumonia as a percentage of the total lung volume was determined by visual observation, palpation and measurement of the lesion which is estimated as a percentage of each lobe. Student t-test were used to test for significant differences. The right lungs have a higher lung consolidation percentage than the left in all the treatment groups. The accessory lobe was affected in the PPRV group. The MH group has the highest lung consolidation percentage (10.1 percent). The PPRV 1-28dpi has the lowest consolidation percentage (1.06 percent). There is significant difference in the consolidation percentage and mortality between MH, PPR+MH, PPRV 28-45 dpi and PPRV 1-28dpi (P<0.05). This observation further show that the right lung and the anterior lobes were more affected in experimental viral and bacterial respiratory pathogen and their co-infection as the trachea birfucation is first to the right and the distance between the right and the left birfucation was 1.5 +/- 0.35cm. It is the first study that describes and compare the pattern of distribution and morphometry of pneumonia in experimental PPRV, MH and PPRV+MH infections in goats.

El estudio sobre el patrón de distribución de la consolidación pulmonar asociada con neumonía virales y bacterianas comunes y sus co-infección en cabras Subsaharianas, es escasa en la literatura. Cincuenta cabras enanas de África occidental (WAD) aparentemente sanas de seis meses de edad fueron utilizados para el experimento. Los animales se dividieron en grupos A, B y C con 15 cabras cada uno mientras que el 5 cabras sirvió como control. Grupo A cabras infectadas con 1 ml de cultivo puro (1 X 109 UFC) de Mannheimia haemolytica MH A2, mientras que el grupo B con 1 ml de cultivo puro 10 6,5 DICT50 PPR cultivado en líneas celulares de riñón de crías de hámsters y el grupo C con 1 ml de PPRV y un semana después de 1 ml de MH A2. El grado de consolidación o neumonía como porcentaje del volumen pulmonar total se determinó por observación visual, palpación y la medición de la lesión que se estima como un porcentaje de cada lóbulo. El test t de Student se utilizaron para probar las diferencias significativas. El pulmón derecho tiene un porcentaje de consolidación pulmonar superior a izquierdo en todos los grupos de tratamiento. El lóbulo accesorio se vio afectado en el grupo de PPRV. El grupo MH tiene el porcentaje más alto de consolidación pulmonar (10,1 por ciento). El PPRV 1-28dpi tiene el menor porcentaje de consolidación (1,06 por ciento). No hay diferencia significativa en el porcentaje de consolidación y la mortalidad entre MH, MH + PPR, PPRV 28-45 dpi y PPRV 1-28dpi (P <0,05). Esta observación muestra además que el pulmón derecho y los lóbulos anteriores se vieron más afectados en infecciones respiratorias patógenas experimentales con agentes virales y bacterianos y su co-infección como la bifurcación traqueal es primero a la derecha y la distancia entre la derecha y la bifurcación izquierda fue de 1,5 +/- 0,35 cm. Es el primer estudio que describe y compara el patrón de distribución y la morfometría de las neumonías en PPRV experimentales, MH y MH + PPRV...