Quantitative detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sputum samples with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for etiologic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia

We assessed the clinical usefulness of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) method applied on sputum samples to identify Streptococcus pneumoniae in 184 consecutive patients admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia. Induced sputum samples were analyzed by culture and RQ-PCR. In total, 70/184 patients (38%) were diagnosed with S. pneumoniae. Cultures from blood and nasopharyngeal secretions were positive in 27/179 (15%) and 42/158 (27%) cases, respectively. Pneumococcal antigen was detected in 33/169 (20%) urine specimens. In sputum samples, culture was significantly positive in 19/128 (15%), whereas a significant concentration of DNA was found by RQ-PCR in 34/127 (27%) cases (P < 0.001). In 28/34 (82%) patients with RQ-PCR-positive sputum samples, S. pneumoniae was also detected with other methods. In the 34 RQ-PCR-positive sputum samples, 17 were negative by sputum culture, out of which 14 were obtained from patients treated with antibiotics prior to sampling. S. pneumoniae may be rapidly diagnosed by analyzing induced sputum samples by RQ-PCR and may be particularly valuable in patients in whom antibiotic therapy has been initiated.     

Efficacy of prone ventilation in adult patients with acute respiratory failure: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE: The use of prone ventilation in acute respiratory failure has been investigated by several randomized controlled trials in the recent past. To date, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis of these trials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic literature search was performed between 1966 and July 2006 to identify randomized trials evaluating prone ventilation. Outcome measures included mortality, changes in oxygenation, incidence of pneumonia, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, cost-effectiveness, and adverse effects including pressure sores, endotracheal tube, or intravascular catheter complications. RESULTS: Prone ventilation was not associated with reduction in mortality, but improvement in oxygenation was statistically significant (mean difference, 21.2 mm Hg; P < .001). There was no significant difference in incidence of pneumonia, ICU stay, and endotracheal tube complications. There was a trend toward an increased incidence of pressure sores in prone ventilated patients (odds ratio = 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-4.15; P = .08). The data on other outcomes were not suitable for meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of prone ventilation is associated with improved oxygenation. It is not associated with a reduction in mortality, pneumonia, or ICU stay and may be associated with an increased incidence of pressure sores.     

Utility of Gram stain in the clinical management of suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia. Secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial

PURPOSE: Gram stains of endotracheal aspirates (EA) and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) may guide empiric antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Previous studies differ regarding the ability of the Gram stain to predict final culture results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between EA or BAL Gram stains and final culture results in intensive care unit patients with a suspected VAP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Canadian multicenter VAP study to correlate EA or BAL Gram stain and final culture results. We categorized Gram stains as Gram positive (GP) and Gram negative (GN) if any GP or GN organisms respectively were seen on staining. Cultures were considered "positive" if they yielded pathogenic organisms on final results. RESULTS: Seven hundred forty patients were enrolled in the study; 35 did not have a Gram stain done leaving 350 BALs and 355 EAs from 705 patients. Pooling BAL and EA results, we found the overall agreement between Gram stain class and pathogenic bacteria culture results to be poor (kappa = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31-0.40). Among specimens with Gram stains showing no organisms, 99 (30%) of 331 grew pathogenic organisms. Among specimens with Gram stains showing no GN organisms, 113 (25%) of 452 grew pathogenic GN organisms. Among specimens with Gram stains showing no GP organisms, 45 (11%) of 428 grew pathogenic GP organisms. CONCLUSIONS: Gram stains performed for clinically suspected VAP poorly predict the final culture result and thus have a limited role in guiding initial empiric antibiotic therapy in such patients.     

Surface functional electrical stimulation of the abdominal muscles to enhance cough and assist tracheostomy decannulation after high-level spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of noninvasive stimulation modalities to augment cough and assist tracheostomy decannulation in high-level tetraplegia. STUDY DESIGN: Single case study. METHODS: A 65-year-old man with C4 ASIA C tetraplegia had delayed rehabilitation due to a tracheostomy and recurrent pneumonia primarily resulting from ineffective cough. Anterior surface electrical stimulation (SES) of the abdominal musculature was conducted to train an effective cough and enable decannulation. Training occurred daily for 4 weeks. The patient was tested 1 year later with posterolateral SES to determine the relative clinical effect of this delivery method. RESULTS: At baseline, the addition of anterior SES increased maximal expiratory pressure (80%), maximal expiratory cough pressure (67%), and peak expiratory flow rate (11%). Three weeks after training began, the patient was decannulated following a program of SES and assisted and voluntary coughing. Upon testing 1 year later, SES with posterolaterally placed electrodes also produced an enhancement of voluntary cough attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive SES can potentially assist decannulation of tracheostomies.     

Development and testing of a vaccination message targeted to persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI&D) are at high-risk of complications and death after influenza and pneumonia. Respiratory vaccinations are effective in reducing infection and complications. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a multimedia educational message developed using a strong theoretical basis and targeted consumer input to modify negative perceptions, increase knowledge, and positively influence intentions and beliefs regarding respiratory vaccinations. METHODS: Veterans with SCI&D (n = 36) completed a pretest questionnaire, viewed the message, and, after a clinic visit, completed a posttest questionnaire. Mean differences were examined using paired t tests. Providers (n = 25) were surveyed about the content, comprehension, and reception of the message; response frequencies were examined. RESULTS: Respondents showed positive changes in beliefs from pre- to posttest on multiple items related to knowledge, severity, and self efficacy and response efficacy. There were no changes in perception of personal susceptibility to these diseases. Most providers were in favor of using the message in this population. CONCLUSIONS: A brief theory-based multimedia intervention is a feasible way to improve knowledge and attitudes about respiratory vaccinations in high-risk populations.     

社区获得性肺炎的病原体调查与药物敏感性分析

目的研究社区获得性肺炎CAP病原体种类、药物敏感性等,为临床有效诊断、治疗提供依据。方法对154名社区获得性肺炎患者的标本进行细菌培养和血清学检测,并进行药物敏感性试验。用PCR检测社区获得性肺炎非典型病原体。结果在社区获得性肺炎患者中多重感染十分常见;在典型病原体感染中,以肺炎链球菌最为常见;在非典型病原体感染中,以肺炎支原体最为常见,非典型病原体感染在8～14岁阶段检出率最高;明确了各种病原体对常用抗菌药物的敏感性。结论明确了该地区社区获得性肺炎的病原谱,及其对药物敏感性的差异,为临床有效治疗提供了依据。     

小儿肺炎合并SIRS时凝血指标的变化及临床意义

目的观察小儿肺炎合并全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）凝血指标变化,并分析其临床意义。方法选择67例肺炎合并SIRS患儿分为单纯SIRS组和多器官功能障碍综合征（MODS）组,测定血浆抗凝血酶-Ⅲ（AT-Ⅲ）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、纤维蛋白原（Fg）、凝血酶时间（TT）、D-二聚体和血小板计数（Plt）。以20例健康体检儿童为正常对照组。结果单纯SIRS组和MODS组AT-Ⅲ活性明显降低,D-二聚体水平明显升高,与正常对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;MODS组APTT和门延长,Fg和Plt减少,与单纯SIRS组和正常对照组比较均差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）。结论肺炎合并SIRS患儿存在凝血纤溶功能异常,其在SIRS发展成MODS中具有重要作用。     

小儿肺炎支原体感染38例临床分析

目的探讨儿童肺炎支原体(MP)感染的临床特点和诊治方法。方法对38例被确诊为MP感染的儿童临床资料进行回顾分析,并对红霉素和阿奇霉素序贯治疗与单用阿奇霉素治疗两种方法进行对比。结果本组患儿以婴幼儿为主,3岁以内19例(50.00%),3～6岁11例(28.95%),6岁以上8例(21.05%)。婴幼儿以发热及肺部表现为主,两种治疗方法无明显差异。结论婴幼儿MP感染的发生率较高,不同年龄组临床表现各异,阿奇霉素可作为治疗的首选药物。     

社区医生的社区获得性肺炎知识教育干预效果

目的了解教育干预前后社区医生对社区获得性肺炎（CAP）的认知状况。方法以CAP专题讲座对社区医生进行教育干预,教育干预前后对社区医生进行CAP知识问卷调查。问卷调查表根据国内外CAP防治指南设计,共10道选择题,主要包括CAP病原学、诊断和治疗知识。社区医生当场独立完成问卷调查表。结果教育干预前后分别有60名和56名社区医生完成CAP知识问卷调查。教育干预后问卷回答正确率（72．1％）显著高于教育干预前（43．0％）（P〈0．01）。10道问卷调查内容回答正确率,教育干预前后分别为16．7％一65％和46．4％～98．2％。除了2道问卷调查题外,其余8道问卷调查题回答正确率均比教育干预前显著增加。结论社区医生的社区获得性肺炎认知水平较低,教育干预可以提高其认识水平。