Articles tagged with Pneumonia
Researchers analyzed 1173 cases of community-acquired pneumonia and found that flu vaccination was not associated with a reduced risk. The study suggests that the vaccine may not be effective in reducing influenza infection in elderly individuals at risk of pneumonia.
A Group Health study found that flu vaccination had no protective effect against pneumonia in elderly patients. The largest case-control study of flu vaccine use in the elderly revealed a lack of correlation between vaccination and reduced risk of pneumonia.
A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that men with community-acquired pneumonia are more likely to die within a year due to their sicker condition and increased risk of complications. Despite receiving more aggressive medical care, men still face a higher mortality rate compared to women.
A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found that men with pneumonia are more likely to die than women, even after adjusting for health behaviors and chronic conditions. The researchers discovered differences in immune response between the sexes, which could explain the gender disparity in survival rates.
Childhood pneumonia is a leading killer of children worldwide with over two million deaths annually. Proven preventive measures include vaccination, exclusive breastfeeding, zinc supplementation, and controlling indoor air pollution.
By the end of 2006, all countries in the Americas had included Hib vaccine in their immunization schedule. However, efforts are still needed to strengthen invasive bacterial disease surveillance and improve vaccination coverage. The successful introduction of Hib and pneumococcal vaccines could reduce global severe pneumonia burden by ...
Research found a strong link between engine exhaust and pneumonia deaths, with 35 local authorities accounting for over 15,000 excess deaths, equivalent to the annual death toll from London smog. The study suggests that pollutants directly damage lung tissue, increasing risk of progressive lung diseases such as COPD.
Researchers at Washington University developed a gene chip technology that can distinguish pneumonia from underlying critical illness in patients on ventilators. The method identified changes in 85 genes associated with immune system activation, allowing for early diagnosis and potentially improved recovery.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin 22 (IL-22) as a crucial factor in the immune response to bacterial pneumonia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stimulating the Th17 arm of the immune system may lead to more efficient treatment and prevention of pneumonia.
A new rodent study found that chronic drinking can lead to severe pneumonia following surgery, impairing the immune system's ability to fight off infections. The study suggests that patients considering surgery should control their drinking habits and be honest about their consumption levels with doctors.
A study found that home-based treatment of severe pneumonia in children with oral antibiotics is equivalent to in-hospital treatment, suggesting a revision of WHO guidelines. This finding has significant public health implications for improving access to care and reducing mortality from pneumonia.
Vaccinating children under 2 with pneumococcal vaccine has been associated with decreased hospitalizations from pneumonia and reduced healthcare expenses. The vaccine is recommended for all children aged 2 months to 59 months, particularly those at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 40% of heart attack patients received recommended aspirin therapy, and 69% of pneumonia patients got recommended antibiotics, highlighting racial, geographic, and financial disparities in access to care.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that daily zinc intake can help reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home residents, especially those with low serum zinc concentrations. Participants with normal serum zinc levels had a 50% lower risk of developing pneumonia and reduced mortality rates by 39%.
A study found that patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia who received the pneumococcal vaccine had a significantly lower risk of death and intensive care unit (ICU) admission compared to those who were not vaccinated. The vaccine was shown to reduce ICU admissions by less than 1%, resulting in potential cost savings.
A recent study published in Critical Care found that decreasing nurse staffing levels in intensive care units increases the risk of serious infections. Over a four-year period, researchers discovered that patients were more likely to develop ventilator-associated pneumonia six days or more after being placed on a ventilator when there ...
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that hospitals in the top quartile of performance had nearly 1% lower mortality among patients with AMI, 0.4% among those with CHF, and 0.8% among those with pneumonia. This suggests that using quality measures to choose a hospital can increase survival odds.
A new study reveals that COPD patients prescribed inhaled corticosteroids are at a significant 70% increase in the risk of being hospitalized for pneumonia. The risk is even higher for the severest cases leading to death within 30 days of hospitalization.
A new study from Bangladesh found that routine Hib vaccination prevented over one-third of life-threatening pneumonia cases and approximately 90% of Hib meningitis cases. The vaccine has been shown to be a feasible and highly effective way of preventing death related to Hib pneumonia and meningitis in Asian children.
Researchers found that mice exposed to ozone before infection died more often than those breathed filtered air. Female mice were also less likely to survive pneumonia exposure compared to males, regardless of genetic variation. The study suggests considering the impact of environmental pollutants on health by gender.
Research found that medical patients with an alcohol-use disorder are at a higher risk of requiring mechanical ventilation, and those who develop alcohol withdrawal need it for a longer period. The study's authors recommend screening all medical intensive-care patients for AUDs to identify potential complications.
Patients hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia face a higher risk of new or worsening heart problems, with nearly 20% experiencing a heart attack or major heart condition. The presence of heart disease significantly increased mortality from pneumonia.
Hospitalized patients treated with antimicrobials against atypical pathogens experienced reduced time to clinical stability, decreased hospital stays, and lower mortality rates. The study found that atypical treatment significantly improved patient outcomes in regions globally.
The World Health Organization's guidelines for treating pneumonia in children under one year old are inadequate and require revision. High failure rates were found among HIV-infected and exposed infants, with polymicrobial infections being a key predictor of treatment failure.
Bubonic plague has a mortality rate of 50-90 ty, while pneumonic plague can be fatal in most cases. A Yersinia Pestis strain in Madagascar shows multiple antimicrobial resistance, making treatment challenging.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that routine infant immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine significantly reduces all-cause pneumonia hospital admission rates for children under two. The research team analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and discovered a 41,000 reduction in hospital admissions in 2004.
Research at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found that bacteria from dental plaque can cause ventilator-associated pneumonia. The study identified a strong relationship between oral and respiratory pathogens, suggesting that proper dental care may prevent lung disease.
A computer-based decision tool has been developed to predict a patient's treatment preferences when they are incapacitated. This tool, called a 'population-based treatment indicator,' analyzes the treatment preferences of similar individuals and estimates the likelihood that the patient would want certain treatments.
New research identifies a particular gene influencing the severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, which can contribute to chronic asthma. The study suggests that different treatment strategies might be needed for asthma caused by lung infections rather than allergies, as the disease may have a distinct mechanism.
A comprehensive study by Harvard Medical School found that not-for-profit hospitals and those with more registered nurses and advanced technology delivered better patient care. Hospitals with federal or military designation also performed well, while those serving greater proportions of Medicaid patients had low quality of care.
A new lab-on-a-chip technology can identify bacterial strains causing drug-resistant pneumonia in hours, cutting down the wait from days to hours. The technology also helps in developing new drugs and can test the efficacy of existing drugs on unknown strains.
Researchers at UGA have unraveled the complex organelle in Mycoplasma pneumoniae that enables it to move and divide. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of gliding motility, a crucial process for cell division, and offers potential targets for treatments.
A study found that pre-operative inspiratory muscle training significantly improves lung function and decreases the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, including pneumonia. Patients at high risk of developing PPCs who underwent CABG surgery showed a 48% reduction in PPCs and 60% decrease in pneumonia after receiving IMT.
Researchers found that infusing patients with low-dose ethanol, morphine or ketoconazole before and after surgery significantly reduced the incidence of pneumonia from 39% to 5.7%. The treatment also shortened ICU stay by 9 days in alcoholic patients undergoing aerodigestive tract surgery.
Patients with highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are twice as likely to die from hospital-acquired pneumonia. Inappropriate antibiotic treatments contribute to higher mortality rates.
Researchers conclude that enzyme urokinase is the primary treatment against infection in the lung lining due to its cost-effectiveness. The study suggests a significant healthcare savings of $15 million if used as the first line of treatment for pediatric empyema.
A biomarker named procalcitonin can reduce the length of antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. Studies found that lower procalcitonin levels could shorten antibiotic use by an average of seven days, but guidelines suggest shorter courses and caution against over-reliance on this marker.
Researchers found that treating intubated patients with chlorhexidine paste reduced the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia by 65%, while a combination of chlorhexidine and colistin cut the risk by 55%. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, suggests a cost-effective approach to prev...
A clinical pathway reduced hospitalizations by 12% and shortened hospital stays by 0.95 days per resident among nursing home patients with pneumonia. The program also resulted in a cost savings of $1,016 per resident treated.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that treating pneumonia in nursing homes can significantly reduce hospitalizations and quality of life issues. By following a defined clinical pathway, hospital admissions were reduced by over half and cost savings reached $1,200 per resident.
A study published in Chest Journal found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of pneumonia, with decreased immune system activity being a key factor. The consequences of this study could have a significant impact on a high number of people, particularly in Spain where alcohol is a major cause of death.
Routine childhood pneumococcal vaccination has the potential to save millions of lives, particularly children under five years old. The seven-valent vaccine is already licensed and in use in over 60 countries, and formulations with additional serotypes are being developed to target strains commonly causing death and disability.
A recent study from Thailand found a significant association between bocavirus (HBoV) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in young children. HBoV was detected in over half of hospitalized patients under one year old, highlighting the need for further research to understand the virus's role in human disease.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 63,000 patients hospitalized for pneumonia between 1999 and 2003. Vaccination was associated with a 40-70% lower risk of death during hospitalization compared to unvaccinated or unknown status patients.
Researchers found patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a three-fold increase in carotid artery atherosclerosis compared to those without RA. Statins and b-blockers may also affect coronary heart disease severity, while hospital volume doesn't correlate with pneumonia care quality.
A study led by Dr. Antonio Anzueto found that the newer medication moxifloxacin HCI is more effective at treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in elderly patients, with a recovery rate of 97.9%, compared to 90% for the standard medication levofloxacin. The study also assessed cardiac safety and found both treatments to be safe.
Research by Ann Falsey and Edward Walsh finds that RSV affects elderly and high-risk adults as much as the flu, causing thousands of deaths annually. Hand washing remains ineffective in preventing RSV, despite its proven ability to prevent other infections.
A year-long randomized trial involving 32 emergency departments in Connecticut and southwestern Pennsylvania showed that moderate- and high-intensity quality improvement strategies safely increased outpatient treatment for low-risk patients. The study also found effective implementation of guideline recommendations among practitioners.
Researchers found a 20% increase in pneumonia hospitalization rates for patients aged 65-74 and 75-84 years between 1988-1990 and 2000-2002. The proportion of patients with underlying conditions, such as chronic cardiac disease or diabetes mellitus, increased significantly during this period.
Rates of severe infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae have dramatically fallen among children and adults over 65, thanks to pneumococcal vaccination of infants. The vaccine has shown spillover effects, reducing invasive infections among older adults.
A two-year study compared HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with community-acquired pneumonia, finding no significant differences in hospitalization length or mortality rate. Treatment of HIV improves patient health and reduces infections like bacterial pneumonia.
A study found that weekly zinc supplements significantly reduced mortality rates among children under five years old, with a 85% decrease observed worldwide. Additionally, these supplements also showed promise in reducing pneumonia and diarrhea cases among infants younger than six months.
Patients taking statins prior to hospital admission with community-acquired pneumonia were 2.8 times less likely to die than those not on statins. Statins' impact on the immune system may contribute to their protective effect on patients suffering from pneumonia.
A study of 3,558 US hospitals found that patients received inadequate care for six quality indicators, with performance varying by region, hospital type, and profit status. Hospitals in the Northeast and Midwest scored higher than those in the West and South, while not-for-profit hospitals outperformed for-profits.
Two studies using standardized measures found that hospitals improved on 15 of 18 clinical performance measures, but didn't show significant reductions in early deaths from heart attacks and injuries during delivery. The findings suggest that higher levels of adherence with evidence-based guidelines are achievable, but may be somewhat ...
The project aims to formulate a vaccine with a safe, low-cost additive derived from weakened Salmonella bacteria, which can enhance the immune response. A single-dose oral vaccine is also being developed, making it more accessible and practical for use in developing countries.
A new study estimates that an additional $5.1 billion annually will be needed to deliver universally available interventions in 42 countries, which will save the lives of 6 million children. The authors conclude that this cost is affordable and reflects a choice made by policy makers and donors.
A recent review confirms a moderate effect of antibiotics on illness course in acute lower respiratory tract infection. However, the debate continues about the role of antibiotics due to limited evidence. The study found that adopting delayed or no antibiotic strategies reduces both antibiotic use and belief in their effectiveness.
A retrospective study comparing hospitals participating and non-participating in the QIO program found no significant improvement in quality indicators for participating hospitals. Despite initial improvements in one area, the overall impact of the program on quality of care remains uncertain.
A two-year study found that home-care patients are at a high rate of pneumonia, complications, including mortality rates 11% higher than other patients. Frailty and decreased immunity are major contributing factors.