Related Experiment Videos
Drowning associated pneumonia: a descriptive cohort
1Université Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service de Réanimation Médicale, France. jean-marc.tadie@egp.aphp.fr
Purpose:
Pneumonia is the most common infectious complication of drowning. Pneumonia is potentially life threatening and should be treated by effective antibiotic therapy. However the risk factors, microbiological causes, diagnostic approach and appropriate therapy for pneumonia associated with drowning are not well described. The microbiological ecology of the body of water where immersion occurred could be of import. The aim of this study was to report on microorganisms involved in pneumonia associated with drowning and out of hospital cardiac arrest after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Additionally, we retrieved and undertook microbiological analysis on samples of water from our local river.
Methods:
This retrospective study included all patients having suffered an out of hospital cardiac arrest due to drowning and admitted to our tertiary care academic hospital between 2002 and 2010. Data concerning bacteriological lung samples (tracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage) at admission were reported and compared to bacteriological samples obtained from our local river (the river Seine).
Results:
A total of thirty-seven patients were included in the study. Lung samples were obtained for twenty-one of these patients. Lung samples were positive in nineteen cases, with a high frequency of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Samples from the Seine River found microorganisms similar to those found in drowning associated pneumonia.
Conclusions:
Drowning associated pneumonia can be due to multi drug resistant bacteria. When treating drowning associated pneumonia, antibiotics should be effective against bacteria similar to those found in the body of water where immersion occurred.
Insights
Pneumonia following drowning can involve multi-drug resistant bacteria. Antibiotic treatment for drowning-associated pneumonia should target microorganisms found in the immersion water.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Environmental Microbiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Pneumonia is a frequent complication of drowning.
- Effective antibiotic therapy is crucial for life-threatening pneumonia.
- Limited data exists on risk factors, causes, and treatment of drowning-associated pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microorganisms causing pneumonia after drowning and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
- To analyze water samples from the river Seine for microbiological comparison.
- To inform appropriate antibiotic selection for drowning-associated pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of patients with drowning-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (2002-2010).
- Analysis of bacteriological lung samples (tracheal aspirate/bronchoalveolar lavage) upon admission.
- Comparison of lung sample microbiology with samples from the river Seine.
Main Results:
- Thirty-seven patients were included; lung samples were obtained from 21.
- Nineteen of 21 lung samples were positive for bacteria.
- A high prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria was observed in lung samples.
- Microorganisms in river Seine samples matched those found in pneumonia cases.
Conclusions:
- Drowning-associated pneumonia can be caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.
- Antibiotics for drowning pneumonia should cover bacteria prevalent in the immersion environment.
- Water microbiology is a critical factor in treating drowning-associated pneumonia.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Atypical Pneumonia
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.