[Contribution of microbiological investigations to the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections].
The diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia is usually based on clinical and radiological criteria. The identification of a causative organism is not required for the diagnosis. Although numerous microbiological techniques are available, their sensitivity and specificity are not high enough to guide first-line antimicrobial therapy. Consequently, this treatment remains most often empiric. If the causative organism is identified, the antimicrobial treatment is adapted. Sputum analysis may be proposed as a diagnostic tool for patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in specific cases (prior antibiotherapy, hospitalization, failure of the empiric antimicrobial treatment).
Leroy
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Service de réanimation médicale et maladies infectieuses, hôpital G.-Chatiliez, 135, rue du Président-Coty, 59208 Tourcoing, France. oleroy@ch-tourcoing.fr
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission