Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2025
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated With Polymicrobial Infection in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Catia Cillóniz1, Davide Calabretta2, Andrea Palomeque3
1Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, University Continental, Huancayo, Peru.
Background:
Polymicrobial pneumonia is a concern for clinicians due to its association with increased disease severity. Determining the prevalence of polymicrobial pneumonia and identifying patients who have an increased risk of this aetiology is important for the management of CAP patients. Here we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of adult hospitalized patients with CAP, and identify the risk factors related to polymicrobial pneumonia and specifically to 30-day mortality.
Methods:
Real-life retrospective study from a prospectively collected data including 5114 consecutive adult patients hospitalized with CAP; 1703 patients had an established aetiology.
Results:
Polymicrobial infection was present in 14% of the CAP patients with defined microbial aetiology (64% of ward patients and 28% of ICU patients). The most frequent polymicrobial infections were: Streptococcus pneumoniae+respiratory virus (32%), S. pneumoniae+Haemophilus influenzae (7%) and S. pneumoniae+Staphylococcus aureus (7%). Inappropriate initial antimicrobial treatment was more frequent in the polymicrobial aetiology group than in the monomicrobial aetiology group (14% vs. 7%, p=0.001). In-hospital (12% vs. 7%, p=0.012), 30-day (11% vs. 6%, p=0.008) and 1-year mortality (16% vs. 8%, p=0.001) were higher in the polymicrobial group. Multilobar pneumonia (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.00-1.80) was an independent risk factor for polymicrobial aetiology in the multivariable analysis, while fever (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43-0.80) was independently associated with a lower risk for this condition. Polymicrobial infection was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in the multivariable analysis (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17-2.87; p=0.008).
Conclusions:
Polymicrobial infection was related to poor outcomes in adults hospitalized with CAP, especially in elderly patients with chronic comorbidities. Polymicrobial infection was a risk factor for 30-day mortality.
More Related Videos
03:53Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes
Published on: April 19, 2024
12:21A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
Published on: September 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia 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...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: