Journal article
The bacteriology of pneumonia diagnosed in Western Australian emergency departments
Epidemiology and Infection, Vol.135(08), pp.1376-1383
2007
Abstract
We used Western Australian emergency department data linked to hospital morbidity, death and microbiology data to describe the bacteriology of pneumonia according to age. The 'atypical' organisms and viruses were not assessed. A total of 6908 patients over a 3-year period were given an emergency department diagnosis of pneumonia, 76.9 % were admitted and 6.3% died in hospital. Blood was cultured from 52.9% of patients with 6.4% growing potential pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism isolated and accounted for 92% of pathogens in those aged <15 years. Isolation of Enterobacteriaceae species tended to increase with age and accounted for around 25% of isolates from the elderly. Sputum was cultured from 25.3% of patients and bacteria were isolated from 30.3% of samples, commonly Haemophilus influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Isolates from sputum showed no distinct trend across age groups. These patterns question the value of routine blood and sputum cultures and have implications for empiric therapy for the elderly.
Details
- Title
- The bacteriology of pneumonia diagnosed in Western Australian emergency departments
- Authors/Creators
- S.L. Ingarfield (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaA. Celenza (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaI.G. Jacobs (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaT.V. Riley (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Epidemiology and Infection, Vol.135(08), pp.1376-1383
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005543837307891
- Copyright
- © 2007 Cambridge University Press
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.23 Antibiotics & Antimicrobials
- 1.23.347 Streptococcus Pneumoniae
- Web Of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- ESI research areas
- Social Sciences, general