Articles tagged with Pneumonia
A global study found that HIV-positive children in developing countries are six times more likely to die from pneumonia than their non-HIV positive peers. The research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, highlights the need for improved early testing for HIV in infants, antiretroviral therapy and vaccination.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded two substantial grants to further develop and utilise its Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) model. The first grant, worth $2.5 million, will investigate whether a nasal spray flu vaccine alters pneumococcal carriage.
A new pneumonia vaccine has led to a 27% decline in hospital admissions among children under 2 in Tennessee, with an overall 72% reduction since introduction of the first vaccine in 2000. The success of pneumococcal vaccines challenges common assumptions about antibiotic treatments for childhood pneumonia.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi causing pneumonia by analyzing patients' breath samples. The test identified 94% of patients with invasive aspergillosis, making it a potential tool for earlier and more targeted treatment.
A growing body of evidence links metal fumes to a heightened risk of bacterial lobar pneumonia in welders. New data shows welders are more than 3.5 times as likely to die from pneumococcal pneumonia compared to other workers.
A team of scientists found that female mice are more resistant to respiratory infections due to the presence of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase 3, which is triggered by estrogen. The researchers hope to develop drugs targeting this enzyme to improve resistance to common lung infections.
Annual incidences of venous thromboembolism range from 0.75 to 2.69 per 1,000 individuals globally. Hospital-acquired cases contribute significantly to years lost due to ill-health.
A recent study published by the International Association for Dental Research found that sleeping in dentures doubles the risk of pneumonia in elderly individuals. The research, which followed over 500 seniors, identified that overnight denture wear was independently associated with a 2.3-fold higher risk of pneumonia incidence.
A randomized clinical trial found that monotherapy with β-lactam alone was not inferior to combination therapy with a macrolide for patients hospitalized with moderately severe pneumonia. The study suggested that dual antibiotic therapy may be necessary to treat atypical pathogens and prevent readmissions.
A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that child mortality rates have decreased globally, but complications from preterm birth and pneumonia remain major causes of death. The largest burden of child mortality is in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly half of deaths occur.
New estimates show that preterm birth complications and pneumonia are the leading causes of death in children under five years, responsible for nearly 2 million deaths in 2013. The largest single cause, preterm birth complications, accounted for 965000 deaths.
A large cohort study found that younger patients (18-64) have higher readmission rates for heart failure than older adults, but lower rates for myocardial infarction and pneumonia. After adjusting for confounding factors, the study suggests a post-hospital syndrome in both age groups, with similar timing and reasons for readmission
Researchers found Streptococcus pneumoniae physically damages the heart, leaving tiny lesions that can permanently scar the myocardium. A candidate vaccine has been developed to protect against this damage.
A research team from George Washington University has developed a new method for diagnosing pneumonia that uses DNA sequencing to identify bacterial pathogens. This approach could lead to more targeted and effective treatment, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that Streptococcus pneumoniae, the cause of most cases of bacterial pneumonia, can invade the heart and cause death of heart muscle cells. The study found that the pneumolysin toxin is responsible for this damage, and that an experimental vaccine formulation protected mice against cardiac invasion and heart damage.
Scientists from The University of Manchester discovered that drugs used to treat asthma and pneumonia become ineffective due to the body's natural circadian rhythm. The study found that cells lining the lung airways have their own internal clock, which regulates inflammation in the lungs.
A study at a Veterans Affairs hospital found that implementing a postoperative pneumonia prevention program led to a significant decrease in pneumonia rates, from 0.78% to 0.25%. The hospital reported a total of 18 cases of postoperative pneumonia among 4,099 patients between 2008 and 2012.
The RRate app uses a touch screen to measure respiratory rate in an average of 9.9 seconds, compared to 60 seconds with traditional manual methods. The app is a significant step towards diagnosing pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses in children more effectively.
A study of nearly 65,000 older patients with pneumonia found that azithromycin reduced mortality by 17.4%, while increasing the risk of heart attacks by 5.1%. The treatment also had a slight increase in cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure
A 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) effectively prevents community-acquired pneumonia in infants in Latin America, with a 22% reduction in new cases. The vaccine also leads to significant reductions in acute otitis media and invasive pneumococcal disease.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2014 found that Chinese stroke patients who received guideline-recommended treatments had a significant drop in pneumonia from 20% to almost 5%. However, only 55.5% of eligible patients received all recommended treatments.
A recent study by King's College London found that centenarians in England are more likely to die from pneumonia, with many succumbing to infections. The researchers emphasize the need for tailored health services to address this growing demographic group's increasing frailty and vulnerability.
Researchers identify two new bacterial causes of pneumonia in chamois, highlighting risk of inter-species transmission with domestic animals. The combination of parasite infestation and harsh winter conditions weakened the immune systems of the affected animals.
A study analyzing over 300,000 hospital records found that weekend stays increase the risk of death for patients with COPD or pneumonia, regardless of day of admission. The 'weekend effect' is attributed to reduced quality of care during weekends.
Researchers found that high consumption of polyunsaturated fats does not reduce coronary risk, while patients with HIV and HCV are more likely to suffer liver decompensation despite treatment. Pneumonia coding practices may also skew hospital performance outcomes due to variations in diagnosis codes.
A large cohort study found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to develop pneumonia, especially those with severe symptoms and comorbidities. The study suggests that increased risk of aspirating contents or liquid from the throat may be a key factor in this association.
Narrow-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and penicillin, are equally effective as broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating less severe childhood pneumonia. The study, published in Pediatrics, compared outcomes among children hospitalized with pneumonia between 2005 and 2011, receiving either narrow-spectrum or broad-spectrum antib...
The new peer-reviewed journal brings together knowledge on pneumonia's pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention, featuring original research articles and expert analysis.
A study of 300 ICU patients in France found that statin therapy did not decrease day-28 mortality rates among those with ventilator-associated pneumonia. The results suggest that new treatments are needed to improve outcomes for this common and costly infection.
Researchers found that a combination of anemia and high altitude increases the risk of poor outcomes, including persistent pneumonia and secondary infections, in children with pneumonia. The study analyzed data from 958 children and found that this combination causes a fourfold increase in treatment failure risk.
According to a recent study, over 43 million adverse events caused by substandard care occur in hospitals annually. The burden is highest in low and middle-income countries, where blood clots are the most common type of substandard care.
A University of Alberta research team found that inhaled corticosteroid use was associated with a 90% increase in risk for repeat pneumonia episodes among elderly patients. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, suggests health professionals should exercise caution when prescribing the drugs to high-risk patients.
A recent study published at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that patients treated with ceftaroline fosamil (CPT-F) for MRSA pneumonia had a significantly lower mortality rate of 13% compared to standard treatment with vancomycin, which has a reported mortality rate of 32% after 28 days.
A new electronic decision support tool has been shown to reduce deaths from pneumonia in emergency departments. The tool uses patient data to predict severity and provide personalized recommendations for treatment, leading to improved hospital admission rates and adherence to guidelines.
A new Vanderbilt study finds that vaccinated children are reducing the spread of pneumonia to grandparents and other older adults. The vaccine has been linked to a 40% reduction in pneumonia hospitalizations among young children, while also benefiting older adults with significant reductions in hospitalizations across age groups.
A new study describes imaging findings in H7N9 influenza, including rapidly progressive changes in lungs and pulmonary connective tissues. The severity of these findings is associated with the clinical condition of patients.
A recent study found that lack of ventilation, gas cooking fuel, dampness, new furniture, and certain flooring materials are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia among children in modern apartments. The research also suggests that family allergies and non-parental childcare can contribute to the development of pneumonia.
A new technique uses cough sound analysis to diagnose pneumonia in children, with over 90% sensitivity and a low false positive rate. This method has the potential to revolutionize childhood pneumonia diagnosis in resource-poor regions.
A University of Michigan-led study found that influenza infection significantly increases the likelihood of developing pneumococcal pneumonia, with a risk increase of up to 100-fold. The study suggests that vaccination against both flu and pneumococcal disease is crucial in reducing bacterial pneumonia incidence.
A recent study found that indoor environment factors, such as lack of ventilation and gas cooking fuel, significantly increase the risk of childhood pneumonia. The study, conducted in Nanjing, China, suggests that modern life style and home environment play a crucial role in developing pneumonia infections among children.
A new study reveals that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic was deadliest for people under the age of 65, while those 65 and over had greater immunity due to previous exposure to similar viruses. Researchers suggest targeting pandemic vaccination campaigns to adults under 65 in comparable scenarios.
Scientists discover that Pseudomonas aeruginosa modifies elongation factor-Tu to mimic phosphorylcholine, enabling it to adhere to and invade human cells. This modification could represent a new strategy to inhibit the bacterium's virulence.
A University of Eastern Finland study found that low serum vitamin D levels are a significant risk factor for pneumonia. The risk was more than 2.5 times higher in individuals with the lowest vitamin D levels compared to those with high levels, particularly among older adults and smokers.
A new Lancet Series provides evidence for treating and preventing diarrhoea and pneumonia, with interventions like vaccination and zinc supplementation potentially saving millions of lives. Modest further investment could eliminate diarrhoea deaths in just over a decade.
For-profit hospitals have outperformed public and non-profit hospitals in treating stroke, heart attack, and pneumonia patients. Despite struggling initially, many public and non-profit hospitals are showing notable improvements in performance.
A study published in The BMJ found that long-term use of clarithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic for lower respiratory tract infections, may be associated with an increased risk of heart problems. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,300 patients, suggests that there will be an additional cardiovascular event for every eigh...
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center have developed a real-time electronic screening tool to identify patients with pneumonia, speeding up diagnosis and treatment. The tool analyzes over 40 variables to determine the probability of pneumonia, alerting caregivers when necessary.
Researchers found that pneumonia patients are nearly twice as likely to develop depression and cognitive impairments, which can lead to disability and nursing home admissions. Hospitalization for pneumonia also increases the risk of losing daily life activities.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that steroid use can reduce hospital stays by an average of 1.21 days for pneumonia patients who survived the illness. Vaccination remains the most powerful tool in infection prevention, and more study is needed on the routine use of steroids.
Researchers investigated relationship between hospital performance on 30-day mortality rates and 30-day readmission rates, finding no strong association. The study included data from nearly 3 million hospital admissions, covering heart attack, pneumonia, and heart failure conditions.
A new study found that doctors' judgments alone are insufficient to accurately diagnose cases of pneumonia. The researchers analyzed 2,810 patients and concluded that a majority of radiographically confirmed cases were not identified through initial assessments.
Research at Yale School of Medicine shows that patients are at high risk of readmission for a broad spectrum of medical conditions within the first month after hospital discharge. The study found that readmissions were frequent and resulted from different medical conditions than the initial hospitalization.
A meta-analysis found that current smokers with HIV were at double the risk of bacterial pneumonia than non-smokers, but stopping smoking decreased this risk by about a third. Stopping smoking reduced the risk of bacterial pneumonia by approximately 30-70% compared to non-smoking counterparts.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus that causes pneumocystis pneumonia, a common and often deadly infection in immunocompromised individuals. The genome reveals surprising facts about the pathogen's survival and virulence.
A large European trial confirms that commonly prescribed antibiotics are ineffective for treating acute uncomplicated respiratory infections. Patients given amoxicillin did not recover much quicker or have significantly fewer symptoms, and the treatment appeared to have a limited effect even in older patients.
A year-long study found that ceramic cookstoves in rural Kenya reduced air pollution but had no significant impact on pneumonia rates among young children. Despite lower smoke levels and respiratory symptoms, the stoves did not demonstrate a substantial health benefit.
Researchers found point-of-care ultrasound to be highly specific (97%) and sensitive (92%) for diagnosing pneumonia, outperforming the traditional method of auscultation by stethoscope. Ultrasound can also detect small pneumonias that a chest x-ray may miss, making it a valuable tool in pediatric care.
Research suggests that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of contracting pneumonia by as much as 50% and dying from it within 30 days. The study analyzed health records of over 9 million patients, finding a significant association between benzodiazepine use and increased risk of pneumonia and mortality.
A recent study from Henry Ford Hospital found that effective treatment for MRSA-related pneumonia can be achieved within 8-13 days, significantly reducing antibiotic exposure and side effects. Researchers evaluated 115 patients' medical charts and discovered that this shorter treatment duration resulted in the highest survival rate.
Researchers aim to improve protection against pneumonia with a higher dose of pneumococcal vaccine in older adults. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, will compare two dosages of a pneumococcal vaccine approved for children and adults.