Association between clinical profile and etiologic agent of pneumonia

This study aimed to determine which characteristics are associated with certain etiological agents.Methods: Retrospective analysis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases in adults hospitalized at an University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients were stratified according to etiological agent, monthly incidence, demographic characteristics, life styles and comorbidities.Results: Etiological diagnosis was obtained in 22% of 1901 cases. The most common agent was pneumococcus, followed by H. influenza, gram-negative bacilli (GNB), Influenza virus, Legionella, MSSA and MRSA, Moraxella, other bacteria and other viruses.Pneumococcus was the most prevalent, except in August when most cases were caused by Legionella or GNB.H. influenza and Legionella affect predominantly men. Elderly have a higher rate of CAP by GNB, MSSA or MRSA and Moraxella, while Legionella or Influenza virus dominate in the 40 to 64 age group. There was a higher percentage of COPD in patients with Moraxella and H. influenza. Active smoking seems to increase Legionella's risk. 31% of CAP by Influenza had diabetes, and 43% of CAPs by Moraxella had cardiopathy. Dementia and chronic kidney disease are common in CAP by GNB. 25% of CAPs due to other viruses had history of immunosuppressive therapy.Discussion: This study demonstrated that patient’s clinical profile and the time of the year in which infection occurs has impact on etiological agent. These results may allow the early implementa...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Respiratory infections Source Type: research