Paxlovid™ reduces the incidence of pneumonia, hospitalization, and death in a cohort of COVID-19 patients from northeast Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Information on Paxlovid™ effectiveness must be monitored and updated in real world scenarios. Our research question was what is the effectiveness of Paxlovid™ in adult patients with COVID-19? Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of Paxlovid™ on reducing the incidence of pneumonia, hospitalization, and mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 positive adult patients from northeast Mexico. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 positive adult patients from Nuevo Leon, Mexico from December 2020 to May 2023 (after Omicron BA-5 circulation) was performed. Paxlovid™ use was authorized in September 2022. Therefore, we analyzed effectiveness in patients with confirmed diagnosis who met selection criteria between September 2022 and May 2023 (n = 20,799; 5,673 with and 15,126 without Paxlovid™). RESULTS: The pneumonia (0.1% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.0001), hospitalization (0.1% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.0001), and death rates (0.04% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.0001) were lower in patients with Paxlovid™ treatment independently of age, sex, comorbidity, and COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccination history. Effectiveness was 88.2%, 95.9% y 91.9% for pneumonia, hospitalization, and death, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Paxlovid™ reduces the presentation of pneumonia, hospitalization, and death secondary to COVID-19. It is recommended to continue monitoring Paxlovid™ effectiveness, as other SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge.

Oxidative potential of particulate matter and its association to respiratory health endpoints in high-altitude cities in Bolivia.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant health risk, driving the search for innovative metrics that more accurately reflect the potential harm to human health. Among these, oxidative potential (OP) has emerged as a promising health-based metric, yet its application and relevance across different environments remain to be further explored. This study, set in two high-altitude Bolivian cities, aims to identify the most significant sources of PM-induced oxidation in the lungs and assess the utility of OP in assessing PM health impacts. Utilizing two distinct assays, OPDTT and OPDCFH, we measured the OP of PM samples, while also examining the associations between PM mass, OP, and black carbon (BC) concentrations with hospital visits for acute respiratory infections (ARI) and pneumonia over a range of exposure lags (0-2 weeks) using a Poisson regression model adjusted for meteorological conditions. The analysis also leveraged Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to link these health outcomes to specific PM sources, building on a prior source apportionment study utilizing the same dataset. Our findings highlight anthropogenic combustion, particularly from traffic and biomass burning, as the primary contributors to OP in these urban sites. Significant correlations were observed between both OPDTT and PM2.5 concentration exposure and ARI hospital visits, alongside a notable association with pneumonia cases and OPDTT levels. Furthermore, PMF analysis demonstrated a clear link between traffic-related pollution and increased hospital admissions for respiratory issues, affirming the health impact of these sources. These results underscore the potential of OPDTT as a valuable metric for assessing the health risks associated with acute PM exposure, showcasing its broader application in environmental health studies.

Does the Recovery of Respiratory Viruses Impact Pulmonary Function at Baseline and 1-, 6-, and 12-Month Follow-Up in People Living with HIV and Pneumonia?

The frequency of respiratory viruses in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their impact on lung function remain unclear. We aimed to determine the frequency of respiratory viruses in bronchoalveolar lavage and induced sputum samples in PLHIV and correlate their presence with lung function. A prospective cohort of adults hospitalized in Medellín between September 2016 and December 2018 included three groups: group 1 = people diagnosed with HIV and a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), group 2 = HIV, and group 3 = CAP. People were followed up with at months 1, 6, and 12. Clinical, microbiological, and spirometric data were collected. Respiratory viruses were detected by multiplex RT-PCR. Sixty-five patients were included. At least 1 respiratory virus was identified in 51.9%, 45.1%, and 57.1% of groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Among these, 89% of respiratory viruses were detected with another pathogen, mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis (40.7%) and Pneumocystis jirovecii (22.2%). The most frequent respiratory virus was rhinovirus (24/65, 37%). On admission, 30.4% of group 1, 16.6% of group 2, and 50% of group 3 had airflow limitation, with alteration in forced expiratory volume at first second in both groups with pneumonia compared to HIV. Respiratory viruses are frequent in people diagnosed with HIV, generally coexisting with other pathogens. Pulmonary function on admission was affected in patients with pneumonia, improving significantly in the 1st, 6th, and 12th months after CAP onset.

Community-acquired pneumonia: Epidemiology, diagnosis, prognostic severity scales, and new therapeutic options. / Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad: epidemiología, diagnóstico, escalas pronósticas de gravedad y nuevas opciones terapéuticas.

This narrative review article explores the current scientific knowledge on the definition, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, microbiology, treatment, and prevention of severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) in immunocompetent adults. At present, despite major scientific advances in diagnostic evaluation, clinical management, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention, severe community-acquired pneumonia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, as well as having a major economic impact in terms of increased healthcare expenditure worldwide. This pathology is considered one of the leading causes of sepsis/septic shock, with an extremely high overall mortality rate, which justifies all the effort in early diagnosis, proper management, and prompt initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Including biomarkers (isolated or in combination) associated with applying diagnostic criteria and prognostic severity scales in clinical practice helps identify patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia, defines immediate admission to the intensive care unit, and, thus, minimizes the adverse outcomes of this serious pathology.

Este artículo de revisión narrativa tiene como objetivo explorar el conocimiento actual disponible basado en datos científicos respeto a la definición, la epidemiología, los criterios diagnósticos, la microbiología, el tratamiento y la prevención de la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad) en individuos adultos inmunocompetentes. En la actualidad, pese a los grandes avances científicos obtenidos en la evaluación diagnóstica, el manejo clínico, la terapia antimicrobiana y la prevención, la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad sigue siendo una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad, además de producir un gran impacto económico con la elevación de los costes sanitarios en todo el mundo. Esta patología es considerada una de las principales causas de sepsis/choque séptico, con una tasa de mortalidad global extremadamente elevada, lo que justifica todo el esfuerzo en el diagnóstico precoz, el manejo en un ambiente adecuado y el inicio temprano y apropiado de la terapia antimicrobiana. La inclusión de biomarcadores (aislados o en combinación) asociada a la aplicación de los criterios diagnósticos y escalas pronósticas de gravedad en la práctica clínica, sirven para identificar a los pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad grave, definir el ingreso inmediato en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y, de esta forma, minimizar los resultados negativos de esta grave patología.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad: epidemiología, diagnóstico, escalas pronósticas de gravedad y nuevas opciones terapéuticas / Community-acquired pneumonia: epidemiology, diagnosis, prognostic severity scales, and new therapeutic options

Este artículo de revisión narrativa tiene como objetivo explorar el conocimiento actual disponible basado en datos científicos respeto a la definición, la epidemiología, los criterios diagnósticos, la microbiología, el tratamiento y la prevención de la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad) en individuos adultos inmunocompetentes. En la actualidad, pese a los grandes avances científicos obtenidos en la evaluación diagnóstica, el manejo clínico, la terapia antimicrobiana y la prevención, la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad sigue siendo una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad, además de producir un gran impacto económico con la elevación de los costes sanitarios en todo el mundo. Esta patología es considerada una de las principales causas de sepsis/choque séptico, con una tasa de mortalidad global extremadamente elevada, lo que justifica todo el esfuerzo en el diagnóstico precoz, el manejo en un ambiente adecuado y el inicio temprano y apropiado de la terapia antimicrobiana. La inclusión de biomarcadores (aislados o en combinación) asociada a la aplicación de los criterios diagnósticos y escalas pronósticas de gravedad en la práctica clínica, sirven para identificar a los pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad grave, definir el ingreso inmediato en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y, de esta forma, minimizar los resultados negativos de esta grave patología.

his narrative review article explores the current scientific knowledge on the definition, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, microbiology, treatment, and prevention of severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) in immunocompetent adults. At present, despite major scientific advances in diagnostic evaluation, clinical management, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention, severe community-acquired pneumonia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, as well as having a major economic impact in terms of increased healthcare expenditure worldwide. This pathology is considered one of the leading causes of sepsis/septic shock, with an extremely high overall mortality rate, which justifies all the effort in early diagnosis, proper management, and prompt initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Including biomarkers (isolated or in combination) associated with applying diagnostic criteria and prognostic severity scales in clinical practice helps identify patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia, defines immediate admission to the intensive care unit, and, thus, minimizes the adverse outcomes of this serious pathology.

Effects of climate variability on respiratory diseases in the Western Region of Bahia, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse hospitalisations for respiratory diseases in the Western Region of Bahia, Northeast Brazil, from 2010 to 2019, and to explore possible correlations with meteorological data. STUDY DESIGN: This descriptive, epidemiological, ecological study analysed data from 37 municipalities in the Western Bahia health macro-region, defined according to geographical, administrative, demographic, epidemiological, social and cultural criteria, and accounting for availability of health resources. METHODS: Hospitalisation data for respiratory diseases, including total admissions and disease frequency, mean and prevalence, were obtained from DATASUS (Ministry of Health). The data were evaluated by sex, age group and city. Statistical tests, such as the Chi-squared test and analysis of variance, were used for data analysis. Meteorological data were compared using the t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Correlations between health indicators and weather data were assessed using the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Over the investigated period, there were 536,195 hospitalisation records in the region, with respiratory diseases accounting for 17.1% of admissions. Notably, 40% of respiratory hospitalisations were among children aged 0-9 years. The most prevalent respiratory conditions were pneumonia and asthma, which together constituted 73% of all respiratory hospitalisations. A significant negative correlation was observed between respiratory diseases and rainfall (r = -0.70, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia and asthma remain important causes of hospitalisation among children in the Western Bahia Region. The study findings suggest that respiratory diseases are influenced by rainfall, possibly due to increased atmospheric pollutants during time of low rainfall. These findings emphasise the importance of environmental factors in the development and exacerbation of respiratory diseases.

High Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children with Community-Acquired Pneumonia from a City in the Brazilian Pre-Amazon Region.

INTRODUCTION: Although fewer children have been affected by the severe form of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) continues to be the leading global cause of child hospitalizations and deaths. AIM: This study investigated the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well its subtypes (RSV A and B), adenovirus (ADV), rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HMPV), coronavirus (NL63, OC43, 229E and HKU1), parainfluenza virus subtypes (PI1, PI2 and PI3), bocavirus and influenza A and B viruses (FluA and FluB) in children diagnosed with CAP during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 200 children with clinically confirmed CAP were initially recruited, of whom 107 had negative qPCR results for SARS-CoV-2 and were included in this study. Viral subtypes were identified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction in the nasopharyngeal swab samples. RESULTS: Viruses were identified in 69.2% of the patients. RSV infections were the most frequently identified (65.4%), with type RSV B being the most prevalent (63.5%). In addition, HCoV 229E and HRV were detected in 6.5% and 3.7% of the patients, respectively. RSV type B was associated with severe acute respiratory infection (ARI) and a younger age (less than 24 months). CONCLUSIONS: New strategies for preventing and treating viral respiratory infections, particularly RSV infections, are necessary.

Pneumonia in Children under 5 Years: Temporal Trends and Spatial Patterns of Hospitalizations in Brazil.

This study aimed to identify temporal and spatial patterns in the distribution of hospitalization rates for pneumonia in children under 5 years in Brazil. An ecological study was developed using data from the Unified Health System of hospitalizations for pneumonia in children under 5 years in Brazil from 2000 to 2019. Hospitalization rates per 1,000 children were calculated and Joinpoint Regression analyzed the temporal trends. Different spatial analysis techniques were performed. Annual rates of 25 hospitalizations per 1,000 children were observed in 2000 and of 13.83 per 1,000 children in 2019, with a significant downward trend for the country (annual percentage change = -3.4%; 95% confidence interval: -3.8 to -3.0) and for the regions. There was weak spatial autocorrelation; however, there were regions with high rates of hospitalization in the south region and clusters of low rates in the northeast and southeast. Clusters of areas with high hospitalization rates were observed in areas of favorable socioeconomic conditions and provision of health services in the interior of southern Brazil. There is a decreasing trend in hospitalizations for pneumonia in general; however, there are clusters of high rates in the south of Brazil.

Impact of Penicillin Allergy Label on Clinical Outcomes of Pneumonia in Children.

BACKGROUND: Penicillin (PCN) allergy label, reported in approximately 5% of children, influences antibiotic choice and prolongs hospital stay. To our knowledge, the impact of PCN allergy label on clinical outcomes of pneumonia in children is not well characterized. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of PCN allergy label on clinical outcomes of pneumonia in children. METHODS: In this propensity score-matched cohort study, we used the TriNetX research network, a population-based database, to compare the 30-day risk of hospitalization, need for intensive level of care, and acute respiratory failure from pneumonia between pediatric patients (aged 1-17 years) with and without a PCN allergy label after matching the 2 cohorts for demographic and medical comorbidities. Antibiotic prescription patterns were also contrasted. RESULTS: When comparing 3793 pediatric patients with pneumonia labeled with a PCN allergy with matched children without a PCN allergy label, PCN allergy label was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.23), acute respiratory failure (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.17-1.39), and need for intensive level of care (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.15-1.84). PCN allergy label resulted in overutilization of broader-spectrum antibiotics and increased complications including cutaneous drug reactions (RR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.31-4.52) and Clostridioides difficile infection (RR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.14-4.44). CONCLUSION: Children with a PCN allergy label are more likely to be hospitalized, receive broader-spectrum antibiotics, and develop acute respiratory failure from pneumonia. Delabeling may offer a way to lessen morbidity from pneumonia in children.

Association of Radiology Findings with Etiology of Community Acquired Pneumonia among Children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between consolidation on chest radiograph and typical bacterial etiology of childhood community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community study. STUDY DESIGN: Hospitalized children <18 years of age with CAP enrolled in the Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community study at 3 children's hospitals between January 2010 and June 2012 were included. Testing of blood and respiratory specimens used multiple modalities to identify typical and atypical bacterial, or viral infection. Study radiologists classified chest radiographs (consolidation, other infiltrates [interstitial and/or alveolar], pleural effusion) using modified World Health Organization pneumonia criteria. Infiltrate patterns were compared according to etiology of CAP. RESULTS: Among 2212 children, there were 1302 (59%) with consolidation with or without other infiltrates, 910 (41%) with other infiltrates, and 296 (13%) with pleural effusion. In 1795 children, at least 1 pathogen was detected. Among these patients, consolidation (74%) was the most frequently observed pattern (74% in typical bacterial CAP, 58% in atypical bacterial CAP, and 54% in viral CAP). Positive and negative predictive values of consolidation for typical bacterial CAP were 12% (95% CI 10%-15%) and 96% (95% CI 95%-97%) respectively. In a multivariable model, typical bacterial CAP was associated with pleural effusion (OR 7.3, 95% CI 4.7-11.2) and white blood cell ≥15 000/mL (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.2-4.9), and absence of wheeze (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8) or viral detection (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation predicted typical bacterial CAP poorly, but its absence made typical bacterial CAP unlikely. Pleural effusion was the best predictor of typical bacterial infection, but too uncommon to aid etiology prediction.

Rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in patients with severe acute respiratory infection. / Rinovirus y metapneumovirus en pacientes con infección respiratoria aguda grave.

Introduction. Viruses are the main etiologic agents involved in severe acute respiratory tract infections; a viral diagnosis is not established in a high percentage of cases. Objective. To describe the frequency of rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in pediatric patients with severe acute respiratory infection and negative results for typical viruses by immunofluorescence and molecular biology at a sentinel unit of Mar del Plata. Population and methods. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The presence of rhinovirus and metapneumovirus was assessed by molecular biology in 163 cases negative for respiratory panel by referral surveillance techniques throughout 2015. Results. Rhinovirus was detected in 51.5% of cases, metapneumovirus in 9.8%, and coinfection with rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in 6.1%. Results were negative for both viruses in 32.5%. Conclusions. The selection of samples without a viral diagnosis allowed us to identify rhinovirus and metapneumovirus as causative agents of severe acute respiratory infections in children and assess their impact on child morbidity and mortality and on our health care system.

Introducción. Los virus son los principales agentes etiológicos en las infecciones respiratorias agudas graves; un alto porcentaje queda sin diagnóstico viral. Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de rinovirus y metapneumovirus en pacientes pediátricos de una unidad centinela de Mar del Plata con infección respiratoria aguda grave y resultado negativo para virus clásicos por inmunofluorescencia y biología molecular. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se evaluó la presencia de rinovirus y metapneumovirus por biología molecular en 163 casos negativos para panel respiratorio por técnicas de vigilancia referencial, durante todo el año 2015. Resultados. Se detectó rinovirus en el 51,5 % de los casos, metapneumovirus en el 9,8 % y coinfección rinovirus-metapneumovirus en el 6,1 %. Fueron negativos para ambos virus el 32,5 %. Conclusiones. La selección de muestras sin diagnóstico virológico permitió identificar rinovirus y metapneumovirus como agentes causales de infecciones respiratorias agudas graves pediátricas y su impacto en la morbimortalidad infantil y en nuestro sistema sanitario.

Verminotic pneumonia in South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) in Southern Brazil.

Verminotic pneumonia caused by Parafilaroides spp. nematodes is an underreported disease in beached South American fur seals, with scant literature available on the characteristics of parafilaroidiasis, the nematode itself, as well as its occurrence in pinnipeds in Brazil. The present work aims to identify, describe and detail the histological features of the infection and molecular characteristics of verminotic pneumonia in the South American fur seal. Twenty-six specimens of Arctocephalus australis, found dead on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul in 2021, were analysed. These animals were identified and submitted to necropsy and histology. For the molecular identification of metastrongylids, lung fragments were subjected to DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction targeting the Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) gene and subsequent sequencing. In total, 12 animals presented with parasites in the lung parenchyma on histological evaluation, and only 1 showed a granulomatous lung lesion at necropsy. Microscopically, the nematodes were found mainly in the alveoli, associated with little or no inflammatory response, and they had morphological characteristics compatible with metastrongylids. Six ITS-2 gene quality sequences were obtained; after comparative analysis via BLAST, they showed similarity with sequences obtained from Parafilaroides sp. Therefore, verminotic pneumonia caused by Parafilaroides represents an important differential diagnosis of lung disease in South American fur seals found on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul.

Prevalence and factors associated with admission to the intensive care unit in children hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia. / Prevalencia y factores asociados al ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos en niños hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad.

OBJECTIVE.: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with intensive care unit admission in children and adolescents with community-acquired pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Analytical cross-sectional observational study at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja in 2019. The sample consisted of children older than one month and younger than 18 years who were admitted to emergency diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. We used Poisson regression to assess association. RESULTS.: We evaluated 166 patients diagnosed with pneumonia, 94 (56.6%) were male and the median age was 24 months (IQR: 11 - 48). Most patients had a mild modified PIRO score of 136 (81.9%); 31 (18.7%) patients had complicated pneumonia and 24 (14.5%) were admitted to intensive care. The higher the age, the lower the prevalence of admission to ICU (PR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.98-0.99). The severity assessed with the modified PIRO score (PR=3.40, 95%CI: 1.46-7.93) and the presence of complicated pneumonia (PR: 5.88, 95%CI: 2.46-14.06) were associated with admission to intensive care. CONCLUSIONS.: The prevalence of admission to intensive care in children with community-acquired pneumonia was 14.5%. Younger patients with pneumonia, with greater severity assessed with the modified PIRO score and with complicated pneumonia have a higher prevalence of admission to intensive care.

OBJETIVO.: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores asociados al ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos en niños y adolescentes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio observacional transversal analítico en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja en el 2019, la muestra estuvo conformada por niños de mayores de un mes y menores de 18 años que ingresaron a emergencia con diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Se utilizó la regresión de Poisson para evaluar asociación. RESULTADOS.: Se evaluaron 166 pacientes con diagnóstico de neumonía, 94 (56,6%) fueron varones y la mediana de la edad fue 24 meses (RIC: 11‒48). La mayoría de los pacientes presentó un puntaje PIRO modificado leve de 136 (81,9%), 31 (18,7%) pacientes tuvieron neumonía complicada y 24 (14,5%) ingresaron a cuidados intensivos. A mayor edad se halló menor prevalencia de ingreso a UCI (RP=0,99, IC95%: 0,98‒0,99); la gravedad evaluada con el score PIRO modificado (RP=3,40, IC95%: 1,46‒7,93) y la presencia de neumonía complicada (RP: 5,88, IC95%: 2,46‒14,06) estuvieron asociados al ingreso a cuidados intensivos. CONCLUSIONES.: En niños con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad la prevalencia de ingreso a cuidados intensivos fue de 14,5%. Los pacientes con neumonía de menor edad, con mayor gravedad evaluada con el puntaje PIRO modificado y con neumonía complicada tienen mayor prevalencia de ingreso a cuidados intensivos.

Molecular diagnostic of complicated pneumonia in the post-vaccine era.

BACKGROUND: The etiological diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still a challenge. We compared the conventional culture method and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in severe pediatric CAP. METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted. From 2012 to 2018, we have selected patients who had peripheral blood and/or pleural fluid collected for etiological investigation by RT-PCR. RESULTS: We included 113 children (median age: 3 years; interquartile range 1-6 years). RT-PCR increased the detection rate of S. pneumoniae by 6.5 times using blood samples and eight times using pleural fluid samples. Patients subjected to RT-PCR showed more prolonged hospitalization (p = 0.006), fewer comorbidities (p = 0.03), presence of pleural effusion (p = 0.001), presence of young forms of leukocytes (p = 0.001) and radiograph with characteristics of pneumonia (p = 0.002). The presence of pleural effusion [odds ratio (OR) = 14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-133.9; p = 0.01] and young forms of leukocytes (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 0.9-84.4; p = 0.05) were risk factors for positive RT-PCR pneumococcal when multivariate analysis was performed. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR is a reliable method for diagnosing severe CAP using sterile materials and a potentially applicable method in patients with clinical, radiological and non-specific laboratory characteristics of lower respiratory tract infection, especially in complicated cases with pleural effusion.

Relationship between meteorological variables and pneumonia in children in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

This work aims to analyze the relationship between meteorological conditions and the occurrence of hospital admissions for pneumonia in children under 5 years of age in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 1998 to 2017. To this end, data from hospital admissions obtained from the Unified Health System database (DATASUS) were used and classified into two groups: acute respiratory infections (ARI) and asthma, according to the international classification of diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10). Data regarding meteorological variables were also used: temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind speed, at 12Z and 18Z, as well as the Thermal Comfort Index (TCI), Effective Temperature as a function of the wind (ETw) and Windchill (W). From the data obtained, a descriptive analysis of the diseases and a statistical analysis with the analysis of correlation and main components were performed. Results showed that pneumonia (catalogued in the ICD-10 as J12 to J18) was the main cause of hospitalizations in children. The annual, monthly and daily hospitalization frequency distributions showed higher rates of admissions occurring in the months of May to September. The peaks of admissions and high admissions (HA) occurred mainly in the winter months (June, July and August), and in 1998. Meanwhile, the correlation and principal component analysis showed an increase in hospital admissions due to pneumonia related to a decrease in temperature and ETw and W indices (negative anomalies) and an increase in atmospheric pressure and relative humidity (positive anomalies).

Comportamiento de características seleccionadas en pacientes hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad y algunas asociaciones de interés práctico / Behavior of selected characteristics in patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia and some associations of practical interest

La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad constituye una de las afecciones respiratorias que provoca más demanda de asistencia médica, y es responsable del mayor número de fallecidos por enfermedades infecciosas en Cuba. El objetivo del estudio ha sido determinar el comportamiento de características seleccionadas en pacientes hospitalizados por neumonía y precisar la existencia de asociaciones entre algunas de estas características.Se realizó un estudio observacional, con diseño descriptivo, que incluyó 1,809 pacientes hospitalizados por neumonía entre enero de 2012 y febrero de 2020. Fueron analizadas características relacionadas con las condiciones de base, clínico-radiológicas, y relativas al manejo y la evolución, mediante análisis bivariante y multivariante (regresión logística). La serie estuvo constituida fundamentalmente por pacientes ancianos (79%), mientras que el 20% presentaba la condición de encamamiento. Esta condición se asoció significativamente con el estado de demencia avanzada (OR 7,6[5,5;10,4]), y fue determinante en la presentación "solapada" del proceso (OR 1,5[1,09;2]). La presentación "solapada" de la neumonía estuvo significativamente asociada al ingreso tardío (OR 1,6[1,2;2,2]). Como conclusiones se ratifica el lugar que ocupan varios elementos en las características de la morbilidad por neumonía: edad avanzada, presencia de comorbilidades, y presentación no clásica del proceso. Fueron constatadas interrelaciones de importancia práctica entre la presencia de comorbilidades particulares, las formas clínicas de presentación, el momento del ingreso, y la utilización de antimicrobianos durante la atención prehospitalaria del paciente. Se destaca el papel del encamamiento en la extensión radiológica del proceso neumónico y en la presencia de derrame pleural de mediana o gran cuantía al momento del ingreso.

Community-acquired pneumonia is one of the respiratory conditions that causes the greatest demand for medical care, and is responsible for the largest number of deaths from infectious diseases in Cuba. The objective of the study was to determine the behavior of selected characteristics in patients hospitalized for pneumonia and to specify the existence of associations between some of these characteristics. An observational study, with a descriptive design, was carried out, which included 1,809 patients hospitalized for pneumonia between January 2012 and February 2020. Characteristics related to the basic, clinical-radiological conditions, and relative to management and evolution were analyzed, through analysis bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression). The series consisted mainly of elderly patients (79%), while 20% were bedridden. This condition was significantly associated with the state of advanced dementia (OR 7.6[5.5;10.4]) and was decisive in the "overlapping" presentation of the process (OR 1.5[1.09;2]). The "overlapping" presentation of pneumonia was significantly associated with late admission (OR 1.6[1.2;2.2]). As conclusions, the place occupied by several elements in the characteristics of pneumonia morbidity is ratified: advanced age, presence of comorbidities, and non-classical presentation of the process. Interrelationships of practical importance were found between the presence of comorbidities, the clinical forms of presentation, the time of admission, and the use of antimicrobials during the patient's prehospital care. The role of bed rest in the radiological extension of the pneumonic process and in the presence of medium or large pleural effusion at the time of admission is highlighted.

COVID-19 Pneumonia in Fully Vaccinated Adults during the Dominance of the Omicron Sublineages BA.1.1 and BA.2 in Mexico.

Background and Objectives: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with the risk of laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related pneumonia in fully vaccinated adults during the dominance of the Omicron sublineages in Mexico. Materials and Methods: Fully COVID-19-vaccinated adults with laboratory-positive illness and symptom onset from April to mid-June 2022 were eligible. We computed the eta-squared (η2) to evaluate the effect size of the study sample. The characteristics predicting pneumonia were evaluated through risk ratios (RRs), and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed through generalized linear models. Results: The data from 35,561 participants were evaluated, and the overall risk of pneumonia was 0.5%. In multiple analyses, patients aged ≥ 60 years old were at increased risk of developing pneumonia (vs. 20−39 years old: RR = 1.031, 95% CI = 1.027−1.034). Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease (any stage), and immunosuppression (any cause) were also associated with a higher pneumonia risk. The η2 of all the variables included in the multiple models was <0.06. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, even when fully COVID-19-vaccinated, older adults and those with chronic conditions were at increased risk of pneumonia during the dominance of the Omicron sublineages BA.1.1 and BA.2.

Risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths in Mexican children and adolescents: retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and risk factors for hospitalisation and death in Mexican children under 18 years of age with COVID-19. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study. SETTING: Mexican Ministry of Health open databases with COVID-19 cases occurred from 7 March 2020 to 30 September 2021. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican children under 18 years of age with COVID-19. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths were characterised by age group, sex, presence of pneumonia and comorbidities, intubation and intensive care unit admission, and institution that provided medical care. Cumulative incidence, mortality, case fatality rates and ORs for hospitalisation and death were estimated by age group. RESULTS: 5.5% (204 641) of national COVID-19 cases were children under 18 years of age: 2.9% under 1 year, 12.5% from 1 to 5 years, 15% from 6 to 9 years and 69.4% from 10 to 17 years. 4.6% of all cases were hospitalised, from which 54.6% were male, 35.3% were children under 1 year old, 39.6% were adolescents and 34% had pneumonia. Pneumonia developed in 2.3% of cases, from which 50% were adolescents. Case fatality rate was higher in children less than 1 year old (4.2%). Risk analyses showed that male sex (OR 1.16-1.28), history of pneumonia (OR 29.7-65.4), immunosuppression (OR 5.3-42.9), cardiovascular disease (OR 4.4-14.6) and other comorbidities (OR 5.4-19.1), as well as age less than 1 year (OR 20.1, 95% CI 18.8 to 21.4), confer a greater risk of hospitalisation; in addition to comorbidities, age less than 1 year (OR 16.6, 95% CI 14.1 to 19.6), history of pneumonia (OR 14.1-135.1) and being an adolescent from an indigenous community (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.23 to 5.54, p=0.012) increase the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, children less than 1 year old with COVID-19 have higher risk of hospitalisation and death than older children. Adolescents with COVID-19 in association with comorbidities develop adverse outcomes more frequently.

Everolimus-Induced Pneumonitis in Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Real-World Study on Risk Factors and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Everolimus-induced pneumonitis (EiP) has been poorly studied in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) outside clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of EiP in patients with NENs using real-world data. METHODS: Retrospective study of everolimus-treated patients with advanced NENs. Imaging reports were systematically reviewed for the presence of pneumonitis. Clinical features and treatment profiles for EiP were summarized. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the initiation of everolimus to the date of death or last follow-up using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients were included. Median age at start of everolimus was 62 (19-86) years, 62% (76/122) were male, and half were from pancreatic origin (62, 51%). Twenty-eight patients (23%) developed EiP: 82% grade (G)1 or G2, 14% G3 and 4% G4. The median time to EiP was 3.6 (0.8-51) months. Primary tumor site, concurrent lung disease, smoking history, and prior therapies were not associated with the onset of EiP. Patients who developed EiP had longer time on everolimus treatment (median 18 months vs 6 months; P = .0018) and OS (77 months vs 52 months; P = .093). Everolimus-induced pneumonitis was a predictor of improved OS by multivariable analysis (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.82; P = .013). CONCLUSION: Everolimus-induced pneumonitis in the real-world clinical setting is present in one quarter of patients with NENs receiving everolimus and often occurs early. While risk factors for EiP were not identified, patients with EiP had improved survival.