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Published on: February 23, 2014

[Etiologic factors of pleural empyema as a potential source of nosocomial infections]

Anna Jezierska-Anczuków1, Piotr Rudziński, Marta Wróblewska

  • 1Zakładu Mikrobiologii, Instytutu Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie. a.jezierska@igichp.edu.pl

Pneumonologia I Alergologia Polska
|September 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Pleural empyema treatment is challenging due to antibiotic resistance. This study found aerobic bacteria, particularly Staphylococci and Gram-negative bacilli, are common causes, with high resistance rates to common antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Context:

  • Pleural empyema remains a significant therapeutic challenge.
  • High mortality rates (20%) and nosocomial spread risk exist.
  • Antibiotic resistance complicates treatment strategies.

Purpose:

  • To analyze bacterial strains isolated from pleural empyema patients.
  • To identify predominant aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
  • To assess antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolated strains.

Summary:

  • 184 bacterial strains from 63 pleural empyema patients were analyzed.
  • Aerobic bacteria, including Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli, predominated.
  • Staphylococci showed high resistance to gentamicin (86.3%) and methicillin (38.2%).
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae were significant pathogens.
  • Enteric bacilli exhibited low susceptibility to many antibiotics, except ciprofloxacin and imipenem.

Impact:

  • Highlights the prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms in pleural empyema.
  • Informs clinical decision-making for empirical antibiotic therapy.
  • Underscores the risk of nosocomial spread of resistant strains.
  • Emphasizes the need for antimicrobial stewardship in managing pleural infections.

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