Elliott JH; Anstey NM; Jacups SP; Fisher DA; Currie BJ

Author(s)

Elliott JH

Anstey NM

Jacups SP

Fisher DA

Currie BJ

Publication Date

2005-01

Abstract

To investigate the epidemiology and outcome of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in tropical Australia. A prospective study was performed of all adult patients with CAP admitted to the Royal Darwin Hospital, a major hospital in tropical northern Australia. A standard definition of CAP was used and data collected on demographics, risk factors, history, examination, investigations, treatment and outcome. Locally-developed treatment guidelines were used. One hundred and sixty-seven adults were included in the analysis. Aboriginal people were over-represented, younger and were more likely to have risk factors for CAP. The most frequent pathogens isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Burkholderia pseudomallei. 'Atypical pneumonia' organisms were uncommon. Treatment guidelines included penicillin for mild pneumonia but emphasised coverage of Burkholderia pseudomallei in those with risk factors, especially during the monsoon season. The mortality rate from pneumonia was low with three deaths in 167 cases (1.8%). International guidelines for the management of CAP have been based on populations and organisms from temperate regions and may not necessarily be applicable to tropical regions. Guidelines based upon local epidemiology must therefore be developed. This study illustrates how mortality can be minimised using a process of determining local CAP etiology, developing treatment guidelines and auditing patient management.

Affiliation

Royal Darwin Hospital and Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia..

Citation

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 2005-01; 9(1): 15-20

ISSN

1201-9712

Pubmed ID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15603991/?otool=iaurydwlib

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5815

MESH subject

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Aged, 80 and over

Community-Acquired Infections

Female

Humans

Male

Melioidosis

Middle Aged

Northern Territory

Oceanic Ancestry Group

Pneumococcal Infections

Pneumonia, Bacterial

Prospective Studies

Risk Factors

Seasons

Tropical Climate

Practice Guidelines as Topic

Title

Community-acquired pneumonia in northern Australia: low mortality in a tropical region using locally-developed treatment guidelines.

Type of document

Evaluation Study

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Elliott JH Anstey NM Jacups SP Fisher DA Currie BJ
Publication Date	2005-01
Abstract	To investigate the epidemiology and outcome of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in tropical Australia. A prospective study was performed of all adult patients with CAP admitted to the Royal Darwin Hospital, a major hospital in tropical northern Australia. A standard definition of CAP was used and data collected on demographics, risk factors, history, examination, investigations, treatment and outcome. Locally-developed treatment guidelines were used. One hundred and sixty-seven adults were included in the analysis. Aboriginal people were over-represented, younger and were more likely to have risk factors for CAP. The most frequent pathogens isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Burkholderia pseudomallei. 'Atypical pneumonia' organisms were uncommon. Treatment guidelines included penicillin for mild pneumonia but emphasised coverage of Burkholderia pseudomallei in those with risk factors, especially during the monsoon season. The mortality rate from pneumonia was low with three deaths in 167 cases (1.8%). International guidelines for the management of CAP have been based on populations and organisms from temperate regions and may not necessarily be applicable to tropical regions. Guidelines based upon local epidemiology must therefore be developed. This study illustrates how mortality can be minimised using a process of determining local CAP etiology, developing treatment guidelines and auditing patient management.
Affiliation	Royal Darwin Hospital and Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia..
Citation	International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 2005-01; 9(1): 15-20
ISSN	1201-9712
Pubmed ID	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15603991/?otool=iaurydwlib
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5815
MESH subject	Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Community-Acquired Infections Female Humans Male Melioidosis Middle Aged Northern Territory Oceanic Ancestry Group Pneumococcal Infections Pneumonia, Bacterial Prospective Studies Risk Factors Seasons Tropical Climate Practice Guidelines as Topic
Title	Community-acquired pneumonia in northern Australia: low mortality in a tropical region using locally-developed treatment guidelines.
Type of document	Evaluation Study Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Community-acquired pneumonia in northern Australia: low mortality in a tropical region using locally-developed treatment guidelines.

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