A new report indicates that significant risk factors for pneumonia linked to drug-resistant pathogens in a healthcare setting, including in patients undergoing kidney dialysis, include advanced age, more severe pneumonia, and wound care. In the retrospective study, researchers focused on identifying risk factors for these pathogens as well as the demographic and clinical characteristics and microorganisms shared by hemodialysis-associated pneumonia (HDAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). A total of 530 patients diagnosed with HCAP were included, of who 48 were undergoing regular hemodialysis.

The research team identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the most common pathogens in the dialysis group. These patients were also notably younger than those with HCAP who were not on dialysis and had less severe cases of pneumonia. A Pneumonia Research News report indicates that while the incidence of diabetes mellitus was higher in the dialysis group, the non-dialysis group had more comorbidities, such as cerebrovascular illnesses, malignancy, and COPD.

The incidence of drug resistant pathogens was not significantly different between the two groups. The research team identified care of wounds, severe pneumonia, and more advanced age of more than 70 years as significant risk factors for drug-resistant pathogens in patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia. Such results indicate that while dialysis and non-dialysis patients had heterogeneous clinical characteristics, they had similar patterns of pathogens, as indicated in the Pneumonia Research News report.

The researchers conclude, “In spite of the small sample size, our results provide additional information with regards to the pathogens than large-scale retrospective studies that did not mostly identify causative pathogens. Taking these [risk factors] into consideration, the unnecessary use of broad spectrum antibiotics may be avoided.”

Source: Pneumonia Research News