Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli. Typically symptoms include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Severity is variable.
Pneumonia is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria and less commonly by other microorganisms, certain medications and conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Risk factors include cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, diabetes, heart failure, a history of smoking, a poor ability to cough such as following a stroke, and a weak immune system. Diagnosis is often based on the symptoms and physical examination. Chest X-ray, blood tests, and culture of the sputum may help confirm the diagnosis. The disease may be classified by where it was acquired with community, hospital, or health care associated pneumonia.
Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. Other methods of prevention include handwashing and not smoking. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Pneumonia believed to be due to bacteria is treated with antibiotics. If the pneumonia is severe, the affected person is generally hospitalized. Oxygen therapy may be used if oxygen levels are low.
Pneumonia affects approximately 450 million people globally (7% of the population) and results in about four million deaths per year. Pneumonia was regarded by William Osler in the 19th century as "the captain of the men of death". With the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines in the 20th century, survival improved. Nevertheless, in developing countries, and among the very old, the very young, and the chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death. Pneumonia often shortens suffering among those already close to death and has thus been called "the old man's friend"
2. Pneumonia
An acute respiratory illness associated with recently
developed radiological pulmonary shadowing which
may be segmental, lobar or multilobar. (or)
Inflammation in the lung characterized by accumulation
of secretions and inflammatory cells in alveoli.
3. Pneumonia remains common cause of Death
Globally Pneumonia ranked 6th
CAP is most common cause of Severe Sepsis
Despite introduction of Antibiotics, Imaging modalities
and Biomarker testing, mortalities related to CAP
has not changed significantly.
5. Pneumonia: Classifications
Clinically
Community-acquired pneumonia: (Typical/Atypical)
Onset in community or during 1st 2 days of hospitalization
(Strep. pneumoniae most common)
Hospital-acquired Pneumonia(HAP/nosocomial):
Occurring 48 hrs after hospitalization
Suppurative & Aspiration pneumonia
Pneumonia in immunocompromised patient: caused by
opportunistic organisms (Pneumocystis jirovecii).
6. Pneumonia: Classifications..
Anatomically
Lobar pneumonia if one or more lobe is involved
Broncho-pneumonia (Lobular)
1.more patchy alveolar consolidation associated
with bronchial and bronchiolar inflammation
often affecting both lower lobes
2.the pneumonic process has originated in
one or more bronchi and extends to the
surrounding lung tissue
7. Pneumonia: Classifications..
According to causes
Bacterial (the most common cause of pneumonia)
Viral pneumonia
Fungal pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia
Chemical pneumonia (ingestion of kerosene or inhalation of
irritating substance)
9. Factors that predispose to pneumonia
Reduced host defences against bacteria
• Reduced immune defences (e.g. corticosteroid
treatment, diabetes, malignancy)
• Reduced cough reflex (e.g. post-operative)
• Disordered mucociliary clearance (e.g.
anaesthetic agents)
• Bulbar or vocal cord palsy
10. Factors that predispose to pneumonia
Aspiration of nasopharyngeal or gastric secretions
• Immobility or reduced conscious level
• Vomiting, dysphagia, achalasia or severe reflux
• Nasogastric intubation
Bacteria introduced into lower respiratory tract
• Endotracheal intubation/tracheostomy
• Infected ventilators/nebulisers/bronchoscopes
• Dental or sinus infection
12. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
Acc. to BTS Guidelines CAP is defined as,
Acute lower respiratory tract infection accompanied by
new infiltrates on chest radiograph or auscultatory
findings consistent with pneumonia in a patient not
hospitalized or residing in a long term care facility for
more than 2 weeks before onset of symptoms.
13. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)..
Most cases are spread by droplet infection.
May occur in previously healthy individuals.
Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common infecting
agent.
Other organisms may be involved which depends on the age of the
patient and the clinical context.
Viral infections are important causes of CAP in children, and their
contribution to adult CAP is increasingly recognized
14. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)..
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is more common in young people and
rare in the elderly.
Haemophilus influenzae is more common in the elderly, particularly
when underlying lung disease is present.
Legionella pneumophila occurs in local outbreaks centred on
contaminated cooling towers in hotels, hospitals and other industrial
buildings.
Staphylococcus aureus is more common following an episode of
influenza.
15. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)..
Cigarette smoking
Upper respiratory tract
infections
Alcohol
Corticosteroid therapy
Old age
Recent influenza infection
Pre-existing lung disease
HIV
Indoor air pollution
Factors that predispose to pneumonia
19. RED HEPATIZATION
• Presence of erythrocytes in
the cellular intraalveolar
exudate.
• Neutrophils are also present
• Bacteria are occasionally
seen in cultures of alveolar
specimens collected
20. GRAY HEPATIZATION
• No new erythrocytes are extravasating,
and those already present have been
lysed and degraded.
• Neutrophil is the predominant cell
• Fibrin deposition is abundant
• Bacteria have disappeared
• Corresponds with successful containment
of the infection & improvement in gas
exchange
21. RESOLUTION
Macrophage is the dominant cell type in the
alveolar space.
Debris of neutrophils, bacteria, and fibrin has
been cleared.
22. Summary
Four stages:
- Congestion – Vasodilatation
– Red Hepatization – Exudation + RBC
– Gray Hepatization - Neutro & Macrophages.
– Resolution – few macrophages, normal.
24. SYMPTOMS
GENERAL SYMPTOMS ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS
• High grade fever
• Cough-productive
• Pleuritic chest pain
• Breathlessness
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain
• Headache
• Excessive sweating and
clammy skin
• Loss of appetite and fatigue
• Confusion, especially in older
people
25. GENERAL SIGNS
• Febrile
• Tachypnoea
• Tachycardia
• Cyanosis-central
• Hypotension
• Altered sensorium
• Use of accessory muscles of respiration
• Confusion- advanced cases
29. Investigations
The aims of investigation are
Confirm the diagnosis
Exclude other conditions
Assess the severity
Identify the development of complications
Clinical diagnosis
History
Signs & symptoms
Chest x-ray
CT
Etiological diagnosis
Gram's Stain and Culture of
Sputum
Blood Cultures
Antigen Tests
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Serology
Bronchoalveolar lavage
30. Investigations..
Full blood count
Very high (> 20 × 109/L) or low (< 4 × 109/L) white cell
count: marker of severity
Neutrophil leucocytosis > 15 × 109/L: suggests bacterial
aetiology
Haemolytic anaemia: occasional complication of Mycoplasma
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein:
Non- specifically elevated
Blood culture: Bacteraemia: marker of severity
31. Investigations..
Urea and electrolytes:
Urea > 7 mmol/L (~20 mg/dL): marker of severity
Hyponatraemia: marker of severity
Liver function tests:
Abnormal if basal pneumonia inflames liver
Hypoalbuminaemia: marker of severity
Serology: Acute and convalescent titres for Mycoplasma,
Chlamydia, Legionella and viral infections
Cold agglutinins: Positive in 50% of patients with
Mycoplasma
Arterial blood gases: Measure when SaO2 < 93% or
when severe clinical features to assess ventilatory failure or
acidosis
34. Investigations..
Chest X-ray
Lobar pneumonia
Patchy opacification evolves into homogeneous consolidation
of affected lobe
Air bronchogram (air-filled bronchi appear lucent against
consolidated lung tissue) may be present.
Bronchopneumonia: Typically patchy and segmental shadowing
Complications: Para-pneumonic effusion, intrapulmonary
abscess or empyema
Staph.aureus: Suggested by multilobar shadowing, cavitation,
pneumatocoeles and abscesses
42. Management
The principles of management focusing on
Adequate oxygenation
Appropriate fluid balance
Antibiotics
In severe or prolonged illness,
Nutritional support may be required
Evaluate the effectiveness of administered medications
Explain all procedures to the patient and family
43. Management…
Oxygen
Oxygen should be administered to all patients with
tachypnoea,
hypoxaemia,
hypotension or
Acidosis
The aim of maintaining the PaO2 at or above 60mmHg
or the SaO2 at or above 92%.
44. Management….
Oxygen
High concentrations (35% or more), preferably
humidified, should be used in all patients who do not
have hypercapnia associated with COPD.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) should
be considered in those who remain hypoxic despite
this and these patients should be managed in a high-
dependency or intensive care environment, where
mechanical ventilation can be rapidly employed.
45. Management…
Intravenous fluids
These should be considered in patients with severe
illness, older patients and those who are vomiting.
Otherwise, an adequate oral intake of fluid should be
encouraged.
Inotropic support may be required in patients with
shock
46. Management…
Antibiotics
Prompt administration of antibiotics improves the outcome.
The initial choice of antibiotic is guided by
clinical context,
severity assessment,
local knowledge of antibiotic resistance patterns
any available epidemiological information.
The choice of empirical antibiotic therapy is considerably more
challenging, due to
Diversity of pathogens
Drug resistance.
47. Management…
Uncomplicated CAP:
Outpatient Treatment (empirical)
Previously healthy and no antibiotics in past 3 months
* A macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin or Doxycycline )
Comorbidities or antibiotics inpast 3 months:
Respiratory fluoroquinolone [moxifloxacin ,levofloxacin ]or
β- lactam ( high-dose amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate)
48. Management…
Inpatient Treatment- Non ICU:
•A respiratory fluoroquinolone [moxifloxacin ,levofloxacin ]
•β -lactam [cefotaxime ,ceftriaxone ,ampicillin] plus a
macrolide [oral clarithromycin or azithromycin)
Inpatient Treatment- ICU:
•β -lactam plus Azithromycin or a fluoroquinolone
49. Management…
Pseudomonas:
MRSA
• If MRSA, add linezolid or vancomycin
• An antipneumococcal, antipseudomonal β-lactam
[piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime , imipenem ,
meropenemplus flouroquinolones]
• Above β-lactams plus an aminoglycoside and azithromycin
• Above β-lactams plus an aminoglycoside plus
an antipneumococcal fluoroquinolone
50. Management…
Pain
It is important to relieve pleural pain, as it may prevent the
patient from breathing normally and coughing efficiently.
For the majority, simple analgesia with paracetamol, co-codamol
or NSAIDs is sufficient.
In some patients, opiates may be required but these must be
used with extreme caution in patients with poor respiratory
function, as they may suppress ventilation.
Physiotherapy
May help expectoration in those who suppress cough because of
pleural pain.
52. Preventive measures
Current smokers should be advised to stop smoking
Influenza Vaccine & Pneumococcal Vaccine should be
considered in selected pts
In developing countries, tackling malnutrition & Indoor air
pollution
Immunization against measles, pertussis & Haemophillus
influenzae type b in children
Legionella pneumophila has important public health
implications and usually requires notification to the
appropriate health authority.