Articles tagged with Pneumonia
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.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that measuring hormone levels can reduce antibiotic use in pneumonia patients. The study showed that patients with low procalcitonin levels were not given antibiotics and recovered similarly to those who received a full course of antibiotics.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a new vaccine against childhood pneumonia reduced the first episode of pneumonia diagnosed by chest x-ray by 37% and overall child mortality by 16%. The vaccine also lowered disease caused by pneumococcus bacteria types by 77%, providing promising results for global health.
The study found that communicable diseases are responsible for over 50% of child deaths, with pneumonia and diarrhea being major causes. Undernutrition is also a significant factor, accounting for 53% of all deaths in children under 5 years old.
Pneumonia, diarrhea, and undernutrition are major contributors to child deaths worldwide. The new estimates also show that nearly half of all child deaths occur within the first 28 days of life, primarily due to preterm delivery, sepsis, or pneumonia.
The introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine led to significant reductions in invasive pneumonia rates, with a 71% decrease in children aged 2-4 years and an 82% decrease in those under 2. The vaccine also showed herd immunity effects, reducing antibiotic resistance in adults who did not receive the vaccine.
Researchers find that low-dose hydrocortisone infusion speeds up pneumonia resolution and prevents sepsis-related complications. Sildenafil protects against altitude-induced pulmonary problems, improves gas exchange, and limits hypoxemia. Patient segregation reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission in cystic fibrosis patients
The American College of Physicians recommends one-time ultrasound examination for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in men aged 65-75 who are smokers. New evidence suggests that large abdominal aneurysms may reduce deaths from ruptured aneurysms. Meanwhile, a study found that the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib increases heart attack risk ...
A study found that acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) was diagnosed in 18 US military personnel deployed to Iraq, with a high incidence rate of 9.1 per 100,000 person-years. All patients reported significant exposure to fine airborne sand or dust and used tobacco, but no common source exposure was identified.
Scientists have identified a promising new antibiotic target in diphosphomevalonate (DPM), which can inhibit the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and prevent its survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel antibiotics to cure pneumonia and other streptococcal diseases.
Child survival must be UNICEF's priority to address the global plight of children and prevent unnecessary deaths. The agency needs a visionary leader with the skills and experiences to tackle institutional weaknesses and promote child health.
A new study found that computer-assisted standing orders for nurses resulted in significantly better adult immunization rates compared to traditional physician reminders. The study showed that 42% of patients in the standing order group received influenza vaccine, while only 30% in the physician reminder group did so.
A three-year study of over 46,000 seniors in Washington state found that peak CAP rates coincide with flu season and are more common among men. Quitting smoking and getting influenza vaccinations can reduce the risk of pneumonia, while other factors like heart problems and dementia increase vulnerability.
Researchers found that current use of all acid-suppressive drugs was associated with a 27% increase in the risk of pneumonia, particularly among those using proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonist drugs. The study highlights the need for rational prescribing practices to minimize potential complications.
A study found that oral amoxicillin was as effective as injectable penicillin in treating severe pneumonia in young children. The treatment has the potential to reduce referral, admission, and treatment costs in developing countries.
A study of 13,440 ischemic stroke patients found that serious medical or neurological complications accounted for over half of in-hospital deaths. Pneumonia was the leading cause, followed by increased intracranial pressure, with diabetes and previous stroke also linked to poorer outcomes in men.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center shows the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine significantly decreases illnesses in children under 2 years old. The vaccine has been found to reduce ear infections and pneumonia cases by 7% and 17%, respectively, resulting in fewer doctor visits and cost savings.
Researchers found specific features like nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status were more frequent in inhalational anthrax cases. Mediastinal widening or pleural effusion on a chest X-ray were the most accurate predictors of anthrax. Studies using prospectively collected data are needed to corroborate or modify these findings.
A double-blinded trial with 270 children aged 2 months to 23 months found that zinc therapy reduced severe pneumonia symptoms and signs, and overall hospital stay. Zinc also showed promise in reducing antibiotic-resistant infections.
A zinc supplement reduced treatment time for severe pneumonia in children by an average of one day, with a corresponding decrease in hospital stay duration. The treatment was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with significant implications for reducing antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers developed an electronic nose device that analyzes exhaled gases to diagnose pneumonia and sinusitis, showing 92% and 70% accuracy in ICU patients respectively. The device has potential to radically change diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Research suggests that community-acquired pneumonia patients who are discharged from the hospital may face a higher risk of mortality in the subsequent 2-3 years if they have certain predictors, such as increasing age and cardiovascular disease. The study also found no excess mortality in younger patients without accompanying diseases.
A study by Peter M. Houck and colleagues found that administering antibiotics within 4 hours of hospital arrival significantly reduces mortality rates among Medicare patients with pneumonia who haven't received prior treatment. The early antibiotic treatment also shortens hospital stays, with an average reduction of half a day.
A recent study examines seroprevalence of non-pneumonic SARS-CoV infections in general population and healthcare workers. The findings suggest that non-pneumonic infections are more common than SARS-CoV pneumonia, shedding light on possible explanations for cases with no obvious contact to other patients.
A recent study combines data from two studies comparing linezolid and vancomycin for ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Linezolid was found to be more effective in eradicating the infection, with a 15% higher cure rate compared to vancomycin.
A large-scale study found that long-term mortality in community-acquired pneumonia patients is influenced by factors such as age, nutritional status, and preexisting illnesses. The severity of pneumonia at initial presentation surprisingly did not predict mortality, with lower-grade fever actually linked to higher long-term death rates.
A South African clinical trial showed a significant reduction in pneumococcal disease incidence with the conjugate vaccine, resulting in a 5% decrease among all children and a 6% decrease among HIV-infected children. The study demonstrates the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and saving lives.
Researchers developed a new composite score combining CT imaging and pulmonary function testing to assess treatment effects in young cystic fibrosis patients. A new test was also developed to predict increased mortality risk in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients with significant decline in pulmonary function.
A meta-analysis of nine community-based studies found that health workers can effectively manage pneumonia in the community, leading to a significant reduction in child mortality. The intervention resulted in a 24-36% decrease in total and pneumonia-specific child mortality rates, with a notable impact on neonates.
Researchers found that a humanized anti-human interleuken antibody reduced eosinophils in severe asthma patients, improving pulmonary function. In another study, poor oral hygiene was linked to an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, with Gram-negative bacteria being the main culprits.
A recent study found that linezolid significantly improves the survival rate of patients with hospital-acquired MRSA pneumonia compared to vancomycin. The analysis of two earlier studies showed that patients who received linezolid were more than twice as likely to survive.
Research found that two proteins, IL-1 and TNF-alpha, work together to overcome pneumonia. Inhibiting one protein can lead to death in mice with bacterial pneumonia. Cytokines play a crucial role in the immune response by recruiting white blood cells to fight invading bacteria.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that Canadian guidelines for treating community-acquired pneumonia were not followed in 50% of cases. The lack of clear guidelines leads to difficulties in choosing the right antibiotic, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance and patient death.
A study conducted in Tanzania found that poorer families are less likely to seek medical care for their children, resulting in a higher prevalence of childhood illnesses and lower treatment rates. The findings highlight the need for targeted health programs to address health inequities in low-income communities.
A recent study found that lower vaccination rates among diabetic minorities, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, cannot be explained by socioeconomic factors. The researchers suggest that understanding shared social and cultural values may hold the key to addressing these racial disparities.
A recent study found that critically-ill patients taking linezolid were more likely to survive than those treated with vancomycin. Linezolid was shown to be an effective treatment for pneumonia infections caused by MRSA and S. pneumoniae, leading to improved patient survival rates.
A study using an electronic nose found good correlation between actual and predicted pneumonia scores in critically ill patients. The device can help diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia more quickly than traditional methods.
A study found that influenza A infection attracts pneumonia bacteria, increasing binding to lung epithelial cells. Treatment with Tamiflu may prevent this increased binding and related complications.
A new pneumococcal vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of pneumonia and invasive disease in children in Soweto, South Africa. The vaccine, which includes two additional strains of pneumococcus prevalent in developing countries, reduced pneumonia by over 20% and invasive disease by 50-80%.
Research finds that babies fully breastfed for six months have a significantly lower risk of pneumonia and recurrent ear infections compared to those who are fully breastfed for only four months. The study also shows an increased protection against gastrointestinal infections with longer breastfeeding duration.
Researchers found men had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia, with complex cases and higher mortality rates compared to women. The burden of CAP is expected to increase substantially as the elderly population grows, with projected 750,000 cases in 2010 and 1 million by 2020.
Researchers found that a specific strain of Staphylococcus aureus is linked to severe pneumonia in children, particularly those with influenza-like illness. The study highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring and treating these cases, as younger patients are at higher risk of death.
A UT Southwestern study has found a link between Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria and asthma, suggesting that lingering infections may cause chronic respiratory issues. The research suggests that treating acute M. pneumoniae infections could help prevent later development of asthma.
A new protocol for administering pneumonia vaccines has shown promising results in improving vaccination rates among hospital patients. The study found that the protocol resulted in a 38% vaccination rate, compared to 4.9% in standard procedures. This intervention can potentially save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study found that 41% of physicians would perform at least one action proscribed by the AMA's ethics guidelines, while 25% would perform five or more actions. The study suggests that some physicians are morally confused about their role in capital punishment.
A randomized trial shows that computer reminders can significantly boost vaccination rates for hospitalized patients, particularly those over 65. The system identified eligible candidates and prompted physicians to order vaccinations, resulting in a 51% increase in influenza vaccinations and a 36% increase in pneumonia vaccinations.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that stress levels can weaken the immune system's response to pneumonia vaccinations. After six months, vaccinated individuals who were highly stressed showed a weaker immune response compared to those with lower stress levels.