Original scientific paper
Value of Rapid Aetiological Diagnosis in Optimization of Antimicrobial Treatment in Bacterial Community Acquired Pneumonia
Ivana Mareković
Vanda Plečko
Zagorka Boras
Ladislav Pavlović
Ana Budimir
Zrinka Bošnjak
Hrvoje Puretić
Lidija Žele-Starčević
Smilja Kalenić
Abstract
In 80 adult patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) conventional microbiological methods, polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were performed and the appropriateness of the empirical
antimicrobial treatment was evaluated according to bacterial pathogen detected. The aetiology was determined in 42
(52.5%) patients, with Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most common pathogen. PCR applied to bronchoalveolar lavage
(BAL) provided 2 and PCR on sputum samples 1 additional aetiological diagnosis of CAP. The mean CRP values in the
S. pneumoniae group were not significantly higher than in the group with other aetiological diagnoses (166.89 mg/L
vs.160.11 mg/L, p=0.457). In 23.8% (10/42) of patients with determined aetiology, the empirical antimicrobial treatment
was inappropriate. PCR tests need further investigation, particularly those for the atypical pathogens, as they are predominant
in inappropriately treated patients. Our results do not support the use of CRP as a rapid test to guide the
antimicrobial treatment in patients with CAP.
Keywords
community acquired pneumonia; PCR; antimicrobial treatment
Hrčak ID:
84776
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2012.
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