Articles tagged with Pneumonia
Climate change is expanding the geographic range of endemic fungal diseases, such as Valley fever, blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis, which can mimic pneumonia. Physicians are often misdiagnosing these conditions due to a lack of training and limited testing options.
Researchers discovered Mycoplasma pneumoniae's lipids spur T cells to overproduce IL-17, leading to neutrophil recruitment and vaccine-enhanced disease. B cells also play a role in modulating the immune response, suggesting they may hold disease in check.
A new treatment option for multi-resistant bacteria has been identified by a UNIGE team, which uses the drug edoxudine to weaken the defence mechanisms of Klebsiella pneumoniae, making it easier to eliminate. This approach could be a game-changer in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Researchers from McGill University found that pneumococcal vaccination uptake is low among adults at high risk in Canada. Despite the importance of pneumococcal vaccination to prevent pneumonia and other forms of pneumococcal disease, many people missed opportunities for vaccination.
A randomized clinical trial found that applying topical antibiotics to the upper digestive tract can improve survival rates in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. The study, published in JAMA, also showed a significant reduction in new hospital-acquired infections.
The October issue of CHEST journal showcases 43 clinically relevant articles on topics such as asthma, COPD, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also offers web and multimedia activities, including visual abstracts, to expand its reach.
A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that early treatment with anti-anaerobic antibiotics can deplete gut anaerobes and lead to worse clinical outcomes. The research suggests that these 'good bugs' protect against pneumonia, organ failure, and mortality.
Researchers observe atomic-level structural changes in bacterial ribosomes and their response to antibiotics, shedding light on mechanisms of action and potential off-target effects. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between ribosomes and other cellular complexes.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego developed microscopic robots called microrobots that can swim around in the lungs and deliver medication. The microrobots safely eliminated pneumonia-causing bacteria in mice, resulting in 100% survival rates, whereas untreated mice died within three days.
Researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes are being admitted to hospital at greater frequency for non-traditional complications, including infections and mental health disorders. These emerging complications pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and may require changes to diabetes management.
Researchers discovered a novel role for an E. coli enzyme in reducing the toxic effects of hypothiocyanite, a key antimicrobial released by the human immune system. This finding has implications for diseases like cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease, as it suggests that various bacteria can evade this powerful oxidant.
A study found that rates of serious complications associated with shoulder surgery are low, but one in 26 patients need further surgery within a year. The effectiveness of some shoulder procedures is doubtful at best, according to experts.
A study by Charité researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 causes limited direct tissue damage, instead triggering an inflammatory response through alveolar macrophages. This suggests that most cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection show relatively moderate disease severity.
A study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that early antibiotic use disrupts the developing immune system of newborns, increasing risks of severe pneumonia and life-long health issues. Fecal transplants may offer a solution to mitigate these effects.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle sensor that can accurately distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia within two hours using a simple urine test. The sensor uses the host's immune response to infection, detecting specific protease patterns that serve as signatures of bacterial or viral infection.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new vaccine candidate based on nano-sized membrane vesicles that provide protection against multiple pneumococcal strains. The vaccine target two conserved lipoproteins MalX and PrsA, showing serotype-independent cross-protection.
A single-center study found lower pneumonia frequency and severity in fully vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients. The study included 467 patients who underwent chest CT during hospitalization for symptomatic COVID-19, with significant reductions in pneumonia frequency and severity observed in those fully vaccinated.
A study suggests that lung ultrasounds performed by primary care physicians can accurately diagnose community-acquired pneumonia with high specificity. This could allow for direct antibiotic prescribing, saving time and money for patients and reducing X-ray radiation.
A study found that general practitioners use ultrasound for exploratory purposes, outside of formal training areas, raising concerns about appropriate use and scanning competency. Meanwhile, lung ultrasounds may enable primary care physicians to prescribe antibiotics directly, reducing radiation exposure and saving time.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and four medical societies release recommendations for preventing ventilator-associated events and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia. Evidence-based practices include oral care, managing dysphagia, and multimodal approaches to prevent viral infections.
Researchers investigate the role of gut bacteria in pneumonia infection in the elderly, finding that a leaky gut can lead to inflamed lungs. The study suggests that aging compromises immune system control over bacteria, allowing them to migrate to other parts of the body and cause poor outcomes.
A blood test can predict which patients with COVID-19 pneumonia are most likely to become severely ill. Researchers found that levels of certain host proteins increased or decreased at different stages of hospitalization, providing insight into the progression of disease.
Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia are at a higher risk of developing new-onset dementia compared to those with other types of pneumonia, according to a recent study. The median time interval between infection and dementia diagnosis was 182 days for COVID-19 patients.
A global trial found that people with heart failure who received an annual flu shot had lower rates of pneumonia and hospitalization on a year-round basis. The study also revealed significant reductions in major cardiovascular events during peak flu season.
Researchers discovered that shorter antibiotic courses are associated with fewer antibiotic resistance genes in children, but also found increases in resistance to other antibiotics. The study suggests that treatment duration can impact the microbiome and increase susceptibility to other pathogens.
Researchers have identified a new family of proteins in blood vessels that prevent fluid from entering the lungs, offering a potential new avenue for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. Stimulating these bitter taste receptors has been shown to provide protection against fluid leak into the lung.
Researchers developed a technique to track changes in bacterial mutation frequencies, which can inform initial and switched antibiotics. The study found that rare antibiotic-resistant bacteria can rapidly expand within days in response to treatment.
A real-time electronic decision support system helped reduce intensive care unit admissions, improve antibiotic use, and lower overall mortality rates for patients with pneumonia. The study found a 38% decrease in mortality among community hospital patients using the system.
A new study will measure the effectiveness of oral hygiene in preventing non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP) among hospitalized patients. NVHAP is the most deadly and costly type of hospital-acquired infection, affecting approximately one in 100 hospitalized patients.
SMART researchers identified a novel phage lysin, Abp013, with promising antimicrobial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study demonstrated Abp013's ability to effectively target complex bacterial environments and could advance treatment methods for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
Paczesny will explore biomarkers and a new type of immune cell to identify and regulate acute lung injury after BMT. She aims to improve understanding of signaling mechanisms in lung injury after BMT, particularly as they relate to idiopathic pneumonia syndrome.
A study published in European Respiratory Journal found pulse oximeters give false readings of up to 7% higher in patients with Mixed, Black, and Asian ethnicities compared to White patients. This can delay timely treatment for Covid-19 pneumonia, leading to poorer outcomes.
A study published in MBio found that removing the NS2 protein from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) allows the human body's immune response to destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins. This discovery could lead to new therapeutics targeting this protein for other respiratory viruses like influenza A and SARS-CoV-2.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that a five-day course of antibiotics is superior to a 10-day strategy for treating community-acquired pneumonia in children under 6. The trial showed similar response rates and lower antibiotic resistance genes in the shorter treatment group.
A proof-of-concept trial has identified a drug that may offer benefit to some patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study found namilumab reduced inflammation and improved outcomes in patients with high CRP levels, but further research is needed for definitive results.
Researchers found that adapted D-dimer thresholds are safe and efficient for ruling out acute pulmonary embolism, even in high-risk patient subgroups. Strategies with adapted thresholds have up to 3-fold increased efficiency, but also higher predicted failure rates.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago developed a simple diagnostic model that accurately predicts pneumonia risk, eliminating x-ray confirmation for low-risk patients. The model, based on age, fever duration, and breath sounds, may facilitate broader implementation in primary care settings.
A large-scale study found that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing pneumonia and dying from it. The research, led by the University of Bristol, analyzed data from over 1 million participants and showed a strong association between exercise and reduced risk of pneumonia-related death.
Researchers developed an AI program that accurately identified patients at risk of serious illness due to blood infections, with an accuracy rate of 82%. The technology has the potential to serve as an early warning system for doctors, enabling them to rank patients based on their risk level.
A new opinion piece argues that hospitals have an ethical duty to care for unvaccinated severe COVID-19 patients, even if it means delaying non-emergency procedures for vaccinated individuals. The author suggests a contingency care standard prioritizing emergency life-support regardless of vaccination status.
The $4.6 million NIH grant will help implement a telehealth-enabled audit and feedback process to monitor adherence to recognized standards of care in 14 Intermountain Healthcare ICUs. This study aims to reduce the time patients spend on mechanical ventilators, improving lung protective mechanical ventilation best practices.
Pathologists have discovered that some patients with lingering COVID-19 symptoms may have underlying chronic lung disease prior to their infection. This finding suggests that clinicians should carefully consider alternative explanations for respiratory symptoms beyond long COVID.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new group of small antibacterial compounds that inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls, showing promise against antibiotic-resistant strains. The molecules work by binding to lipid II, a crucial molecule for bacterial cell wall construction.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University discovered a genetic variant associated with a poorer prognosis of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The variant, rs5743899, was linked to increased immune activation and fibrosis, leading to reduced lung function in patients.
A study of Black Veterans hospitalized for common conditions confirms adjusted mortality rates are lower for Black compared to White Veterans. However, higher adjusted mortality rates among Hispanic Veterans were identified, partially explained by a large proportion receiving care outside the continental United States.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that interleukin-26 plays a critical role in bacterial pneumonia by directly killing bacteria and modulating the immune system. This finding positions IL-26 as a new potential target for biological treatment of pneumonia, an increasing global health threat.
A new study found that exposure to particulate matter pollution and social factors such as race and socioeconomic status contribute to higher rates of community acquired pneumonia in children. Researchers used satellite data to identify high- and low-risk areas for the disease, highlighting the need for policy adjustments.
A new register study at Umea University found that people with psychotic or bipolar disorders are significantly more likely to die from influenza, pneumonia, or sepsis. The proportion of deaths due to these conditions was sixfold in certain age groups, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital propose using an existing drug to prevent NET formation, which can lead to severe inflammation in conditions like COVID-19, sepsis, and ARDS. The study shows that ricolinostat inhibits histone deacetylases, reducing NET formation and inflammation.
A new study suggests that COVID-19 deaths are driven by a buildup of coronavirus in the lungs. Researchers found that people who died from COVID-19 had 10 times more virus in their lower airways than those who survived.
The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.
Researchers used a hamster model to study COVID-19 lung damage, discovering that the immune system's response plays a crucial role in disease progression. They found that certain cells involved in lung immunity ingest the virus, triggering an inflammatory response that can be brought under control by T cells.
Researchers developed an image-based detection system using artificial intelligence models to diagnose COVID-19 from chest X-rays. The model accurately differentiated between COVID-19, pneumonia, and healthy patients, showing great promise for precision medicine.
A new study found that antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are killing children in Bangladesh, with 77% of pneumonia cases caused by gram-negative bacteria. Children with resistant infections were 17 times more likely to die than those without.
Research shows aspirin can reduce ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction risk by 36% in pneumonia patients. Aspirin also lowers MI rates by 54%, providing potential preventive role for primary care settings.
A study by ITQB NOVA researchers found that asymptomatic adults in Portugal can carry pneumococci for several months, with a median duration of almost two months. This suggests that some adults may act as reservoirs of the bacterium, potentially impacting herd immunity.
A joint task force of healthcare stakeholders recommends educating patients and staff about prevention measures, including standardized oral care. The initiative aims to reduce harm from non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), which causes high mortality rates and prolonged hospital stays.
Opaganib was shown to reduce supplemental oxygen support, improve discharge time and be well-tolerated in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study's findings suggest a potential role of SK2 inhibition in combating the effects of the virus.
Researchers have identified a new canine-like coronavirus found in Malaysian pneumonia cases, indicating potential for animal-to-human transmission. The discovery highlights the need for better surveillance to detect novel coronaviruses and mitigate public health threats.