title: [Diagnosis of infections in pneumology].
abstract: Lower respiratory tract infections rank among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In clinical practice, especially in the care of severely ill patients, discrimination between tracheobronchial colonisation with potentially pathogenic microorganisms and infection is a common diagnostic challenge. While prompt antibiotic treatment is needed in critically ill patients with pneumonia, an inadequate use of antibiotics is the major cause for the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms. The first part of this review provided a detailed overview of the currently available methods for the diagnosis of pulmonary infectious diseases. In the present second part of the manuscript, we focus upon methods and criteria for the differentiation between lower respiratory tract bacterial colonisation and lower respiratory tract infections, highlighting important pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Infektiologie, Medizinische Klinik, Forschungszentrum Borstel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strassburg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalhoff
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Engelmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ewig
authors.forename: F J F
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Herth
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knobloch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahly
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schaaf
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lange
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D009017:Morbidity; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000379:methods; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000956:Antigens, Viral