A Clinicoradiological and Bacteriological Profile of Community-acquired Pneumonia in a Tertiary Care Center in Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION

The world of microbes as a causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been ever-changing with the emergence of new species, introduction of newer diagnostic techniques, availability of newer antibiotics and vaccines, and changing demographic profiles of patients as reported from different parts of the globe over time.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinicoradiological and bacteriological profile of CAP among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with special reference to the CURB-65 score and acute inflammatory markers.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

It was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 18 months in the Department of Respiratory Medicine in a tertiary care hospital in the Indian subcontinent. Patients with features of lower respiratory tract infection of all age-groups and sexes were included in the study; immunocompromised patients, pregnant patients, patients with malignancy, active tuberculosis, and those who received antibiotics in the previous 90 days or were admitted to any other healthcare facility were excluded from the study. The study was conducted after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee clearance and informed consent from study participants. The data obtained were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients with male predominance (63%), an average age of 47.61 ± 1.78 years, 33% current smokers, and with diabetes (27%) and hypertension (19%) as comorbid conditions were included in the study. Klebsiella and Pseudomonas sp. were among the most common isolates, closely followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae among the elderly population; whereas S. pneumoniae was the most common organism overall, and 48% showed no culture isolate.

CONCLUSION

It is an absolute necessity to conduct several similar studies in the future among different patient demographics, localities, and practice settings, keeping in consideration the constantly changing microbiological profile over time and the introduction of new diagnostic and management modalities.