Tuberc Respir Dis.  2011 Nov;71(5):335-340.

Respiratory Virus Detection Rate in Patients with Severe or Atypical Community-acquired Pneumonia

• Park JW
• Jung SY
• Eun HS
• Cheon S
• Seong SW
• Park DI
• Park MR
• Park HS
• Jung SS
• Kim JO
• Kim SY
• Lee JE

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world in all age groups. Viral causes of CAP are less well characterized than bacterial causes. We analyzed the characteristics of hospitalized patients with CAP who had a viral pathogen detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
METHODS
Multiplex real-time PCR was performed for respiratory viruses in samples collected from 520 adults who developed CAP at Chungnam National University Hospital. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at presentation as well as other epidemiological data were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of 520 patients with CAP, a viral pathogen was detected in 60 (11.5%), and influenza A was the most common. The virus detection rate in patients with CAP was highest in November. Two or more pathogens were detected in 13 (21.7%) patients. Seven patients had severe disease and were administered in the intensive care unit. Most patients (49/60, 81.7%) had comorbidities. However, nine (15%) patients had no comorbidities, and their age was <60 years. The ground glass opacity pattern was the most common radiological feature. Seven (11.7%) patients died from CAP.
CONCLUSION
Viral pathogens are commonly detected in patients with CAP, and a respiratory virus may be associated with the severity and outcome of pneumonia. Careful attention should be paid to the viral etiology in adult patients with CAP.

Keyword

Viruses; Pneumonia; Polymerase Chain Reaction

MeSH Terms

Adult
Comorbidity
Glass
Humans
Influenza, Human
Intensive Care Units
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pneumonia
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Viruses

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A) Monthly distribution of the total number of patients with pneumonia who had a viral pathogen detected. Monthly distribution of the number of patients with pneumonia who had a influenza A virus (B) and parainfulenza virus and RSV (C) detected.

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