title: Does radiographic evidence of prior pulmonary tubercular infection influence the choice of empiric antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia in a tuberculosis-endemic area?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent medical literature suggests that use of fluoroquinolones (FQs) might be associated with the delayed diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of radiographic evidence of prior pulmonary TB infection on empiric antibiotic choice in cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as well as the effect of antibiotic regimens on clinical outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 280 patients with CAP between 1 May and 31 December 2007 were included in the study and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving FQs (FQ group) or those receiving β-lactam-based regimens (β-lactam group). Their demographic data, underlying diseases, clinical features, diseases severity and outcomes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographic evidence of a previous pulmonary TB infection (odds ratio = 3.507, 95% confidence interval = 1.422-8.645; p = 0.006) was an independent factor associated with β-lactam-based regimens. Patients with a modified pneumonia severity index (mPSI) category V were more likely to receive FQ therapy (odds ratio = 2.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.140-5.615; p = 0.022). Of the patients with mPSI category V, the 14-day mortality rate of those in the β-lactam group was significantly lower than that of those in the FQ group (0%vs. 23%, respectively; p = 0.044).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic evidence of a previous pulmonary TB infection and a lower mPSI score increases the probability of the selection of a β-lactam-based regimen for the treatment of CAP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuan-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Yi-Tsung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ling-Ju
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Te-Li
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fu-Der
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chang-Phone
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Cheng-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D047090:beta-Lactams