Community-acquired Pneumonia Flashcards
Where does pneumonia occur?
Lower respiratory tract infection of lung parenchyma
Proliferation of microbial pathogens in the alveolar level
What is the most common type of pneumonia?
Bacterial
Less common: viral, fungal
How does pneumonia enter the lower respiratory tract?
- Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions
- Inhalation of aerosols: aerosolized droplets
- Hematogenous spreading: bacteremia from extra-pulmonary source
What are signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
- Respiratory: cough, chest pain, SOB, hypoxia
- Systemic: fever >38C, chills, tachypnea RR >24bpm, tachycardia HR >90bpm, hypotension SBP <100
- Lab: leukocytosis - elevated WBC
- Elderly: fatigue, anorexia, nausea, changes in mental status
How might you detect pneumonia in a physical examination?
- Diminished breath sounds
2. Inspiratory crackles during lung expansion
Radiographic findings that assist in diagnosing pneumonia
Look for infiltrates or dense consolidations
- Chest x-ray (CXR): more common bc cheaper and more available
- CT scan: reserved for immunocompromised people or not responding to normal therapy
What kind of culture should be used to diagnose pneumonia?
- Sputum: low yield due to frequent contamination from oropharyngeal secretions
- Quality: >10 neutrophils and <25 epithelial cells per LPF - Lower respiratory tract: preferred but invasive (bronchoalveolar lavage BAL)
- Use only if pt is not responding or they’re very ill in ICU bc sedation is required - Blood culture: rule out bacteremia bc it crosses over easily
What kind of diagnostic tests are not routinely used for diagnosis?
- Laboratory findings (CRP, procalcitonin): non-specific
- Urinary antigen tests: indicate exposure but remain positive for days to weeks despite abx tx
- for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophilia (serogroup 1 only)
When is the onset of CAP and nosocomial pneumonia?
CAP: <48h post-admission
HAP/NAP: >48h post-admission or post-mechanical ventilation
What are the risk factors for CAP?
- Age >65y/o
- Previous hospitalization for CAP
- Smoking
- Underlying conditions: COPD, DM, HF, cancer, immunosuppression
How can we prevent CAP?
- Smoking cessation
- Prevent postviral infections: immunization
- pneumococcal: PCV10/13 or PPSV23
- influenza
Why is Burkholderia pseudomallei a concern?
Gram-negative bacilli that causes melioidosis: group of infections including severe pneumonia
Prevalence in SG is 3rd highest in the world
What are the criteria for risk stratification?
- Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI): 20 variables, 5 mortality risk classes
- CURB-65 Score: more common in clinical, only 5 variables & 3 mortality risk classes
- IDSA-ATS criteria for severe CAP: >1 major or >3 minor criteria
What are the major criteria under IDSA/ATS criteria?
- Mechanical ventilation
2. Septic shock requiring vasoactive medications: to support BP in hypotension
What are the minor criteria under IDSA/ATS criteria?
- RR >30bpm
- PaO2/FiO2 <250 (measure hypoxia)
- Multilobar infiltrates
- Confusion/disorientation
- Uremia (urea >7 mmol/L)
- Leukopenia (WBC <4 x 10^9/L)
- Hypothermia (temp <36C)
- Hypotension req aggressive fluid resuscitation