Assessment of CMV-specific ELISPOT Assay for Predicting CMV Co-infection in Patients With Pneumocystitis...
Non-HIV Patients With Pneumocystis Jiroveci PneumoniaPCP (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) is one of the important opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients including HIV-infected patients, transplant recipients, and immunosuppressant users. About one third of non-HIV patients with PCP have the evidence of co-infection with CMV. In this difficult clinical situation, physicians have difficulty to decide on whether anti-CMV treament will help patients with any evidence of CMV co-infection. However, there is no objective test to differentiate true co-infection of CMV from innocent bystander of CMV in those with PCP. The investigators thus evaluate the usefulness of CMV-specific ELISPOT assay in patients with PCP to differentiate true co-infection of CMV from inocent bystander of CMV. This findings may guide physicians to decide anti-CMV treatment in patients with PCP and CMV co-infection.
Evaluation of Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia...
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)Hospital-Acquired PneumoniaThe objective of this study is to review the local management of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus hospital-acquired pneumonia treated with vancomycin or linezolid with the goal to define if any difference exists among these antimicrobials in regard to clinical and economic outcomes.
Diagnostic Value of sTREM-1 and PCT Level as Well as CPIS Score for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia...
SepsisVentilator-Associated PneumoniaAims: to explore the value of TREM-1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1) ,PCT(Procalcitonin), as well as CPIS (clinical pulmonary infection score) in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of VAP (ventilator associated pneumonia); and to make a comparison with WBC (white blood cells) and CRP (C-reactive protein) level as well as SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) Score Methods: There were 92 subjects of sepsis, who were either receiving endotracheal intubation or had undergone tracheotomy and were exposed to mechanical ventilation. The subjects were divided into the VAP group (32) and the Non-VAP group (60), the criterion being the contraction of VAP 48 hours after ICU admission. Etiological culture was conducted in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). And sTREM-1 density was determined by examining serum sTREM-1, PCT, WBC, CRP and EVC (exhaled ventilator condensate). Meanwhile, the CPIS and SOFA score were worked out. With a 28-day survival as the demarcation line, the VAP group was further divided into the survivors group, who stayed alive for 28 days or more , and the non-survivors group, who died within 28 days. The sTREM-1 and PCT level were denoted as meridians (range interquartile), while the WBC and CRP level as well as the CPIS and SOFA score, means±standard deviations (SD). Results: Averagely, the patients would contract clinically-confirmed VAP 6.9 days after admission, which was mainly traced to Gram-negative bacilli infection. On the very day of diagnosis, compared with the Non-VAP group, the VAP group showed a higher level of serum sTREM-1, PCT, WBC and CRP as well as CPIS and SOFA score(295.6pg/ml vs.143.5pg/ml, P<0.001;4.5ng/ml vs. 1.4ng/ml,P=0.008;16.7×10∧9/L vs.10.9×10∧9/L, P<0.001;11.5mg/dl vs. 7.7mg/dl,P=0.012; 6.0vs. 1.9, P<0.001;10.0vs. 7.5, P=0.017), AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve)turned out as follows :sTREM-1: 0.73(95% CI 0.61-0.85);PCT : 0.70(95% CI 0.57-0.83);WBC: 0.73(95% CI 0.60-0.85).The CPIS score, which was proved by logistic regression analysis as the sole risky factor to VAP, amounted to 0.96(95% CI 0.91-1.00). Combined prediction probability containing all the data was calculated in accordance on the relative regression equation. sTREM-1+WBC+CPIS score proved to be most reliable for diagnosis. AUC turned out as 0.98. With 0.277 as the cut-off point, sensitivity measured 0.97, specificity, 0.9 and YDI, 0.87. There were only 5 VAP subjects whose sTREM-1 density could be detected in EVC. The VAP patients were divided into a survivors group (n=15) and a non-survivors group (n=17) with a 28-day survival as the demarcation line. The non-survivors group demonstrated a higher PCT level and higher CPIS & SOFA score than the survivors. (3.0ng/ml vs. 15.3ng/ml,P=0.032;5.4vs. 6.6, P=0.03;8.1vs.11.7 P=0.049). AUC worked out PCT 0.752(95% CI 0.547-0.956)and CPIS 0.764(95% CI 0.575-0.953). Calculations on the regression equation showed the PCT+CPIS score was most reliable for prognostic assessment. AUC turned out as 0.848. With 0.516 as the demarcation line, sensitivity measured 0.867, specificity, 0.818 and YDI, 0.685. conclusion: WBC + CPIS helps improve VAP diagnosis; PCT+CPIS may be used for VAP prognostic assessment. Taking two items into consideration will be of guiding value in VAP treatment as well as mortality rate reduction. The sTREM-1 level in EVC,however,may be devoid of value for VAP diagnosis.
Role of Chest Ultrasound in Diagnosing and Follow-up of Pneumonia
PneumoniaThe study of a large number of patients (at least 200 patients) from several European centres aims to investigate the value of chest ultrasound in diagnosing and checking the course of pneumonia as compared to a chest X-ray film in two planes and - in case of a controversial X-ray finding- as compared to low-dose CT. An X-ray finding is regarded controversial, if infiltrates cannot be reliably excluded or not reliably represented and if a definite diagnosis is, thus, not possible. A low-dose CT is indicated even in case of a positive chest ultrasound and negative X-ray finding. Sonographic recording and characterization of pneumonic infiltrates is performed both at the time of diagnosing and in the further course under therapy.
Pharyngeal Carriage Rates and Genetic Typing of Group A Streptococcus and Streptococcus Pneumonia...
CarriageGroup A Streptococcus1 moreThe study is aimed at assessing pharyngeal and nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumonia carriage and pharyngeal Group A streptococcus carriage among field units new recruits.
Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Healthy Children of 12-18 Months...
Streptococcus Pneumoniae InfectionsThis study is to observe the carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.p.), Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) and Moraxella catarrhalis (M.Cat.) in healthy Chinese children aged 12-18 months in order to estimate the prevalence of pathogens that commonly cause infection in Chinese young children. The antibiotic resistance of all isolates and the serotypes distribution of S.p. isolates will also be tested. Potential risk factors for nasopharyngeal carriage will be collected.
Pulmonary Infections Masquerading as Community-Acquired Pneumonia
PneumoniaThe purpose of this research is to identify cases from patients who have been referred for consultation to the Infectious Disease Section at the VAMC, Houston, and to compare them with other cases of CAP in order to determine whether there are features that might enable non-CAP cases to be distinguished from CAP.
Pathogen Identification of Bacterial Pneumonia Via DNA Detection
PneumoniaPneumonia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of pneumonia from the microbiology perspective has been challenging. Recent reports suggest the utility of nuclear acid detection for rapid and accurate diagnoses of these pathogens and their antibiotic-resistant spectrum. Extracted bacterial nucleic acid in sputum specimen will be identified by Nuclear acid detection assay kit with Microfluidic Pumping Chip and LAMP methods
An Epidemiological Study to Evaluate the RSV-Associated Lower Respiratory Track in Infections in...
Respiratory InfectionsBronchiolitis2 moreThe primary objective of this study is to describe the incidence of RSV-associated LRI among infants <1 year of age presenting to the ED during selected shoulder months.
Study Evaluating Antibiotic Use in Reducing Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci and ESBL Producing...
Escherichia Coli InfectionsKlebsiella InfectionsTo determine whether the restriction of 3rd generation cephalosporins and carbapenems contribute to the reduction of intestinal colonization or infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a medical intensive care unit (MICU).