Resumen

FONSECA, Sara et al. Pneumococcal Pneumonia and influenza A Pneumonia: A Comparative Study. Medicina Interna [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.2, pp.106-111. ISSN 0872-671X.

Introduction:Pneumonia is defined as an infection of the lung parenchyma. The most common overall pathogen is Streptococcus pneumoniae, however, influenza virus is also common and is associated with severe disease. The viral etiology of pneumonia is underdiagnosed. We analyzed and compared the clinical, laboratory and radiological data, severity at admission and outcome of patients with influenza A pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods:Retrospective analysis of clinical and epidemiological data of hospitalized patients between October 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, in a medium-sized Hospital, with confirmed influenza A pneumonia and/or pneumococcal pneumonia. Results:We identified 40 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia and 40 cases of influenza A pneumonia. In the viral pneumonia group the mean age was 65.8 years (vs 74.6 (p = 0.017)). Pneumococcal pneumonia patients had higher Charlson comorbidities index (median 7 vs 4, p < 0.001), higher CURB-65 (p = 0.001) and white blood cells count (15273 vs 9656 / µL, p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein at admission (191 vs 115 mg / L, p = 0.014) were higher. In viral cases there was more need to escalate level of medical care (43% vs 18%, p = 0.015), with no significant difference in in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: We obtained the same number of patients in each group, which reveals a higher prevalence of influenza than we normally expect. Compared to patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with viral pneumonia were younger and had a lower comorbidities index; on admission, they presented lower inflammatory parameters and CURB-65; the need to escalate care was higher, however mortality was not significantly different.

Palabras clave : influenza A Virus; H1N1 Subtype; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia; Viral; Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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