Aetiology of pneumonia in patients in the intensive care unit treated with chlordiazepoxide
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Research on pneumonia in patients undergoing treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms (AWS) is sparse. This study describes the microbiological aetiology in this patient group within an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study at Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark. Patients admitted to the ICU between 1 June 2017 and 31 December 2020 who had received at least 200 mg of chlordiazepoxide for AWS within the preceding days were identified through electronic health records. Admissions presenting with clinical symptoms of pneumonia were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with 88 admissions met the inclusion criteria. We identified 58 bacterial species, with the most common being Staphylococcus aureus (n = 14; 24%), Haemophilus influenzae (n = 12; 21%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 11; 19%). In the overall ICU population, excluding our cohort study, 516 bacterial samples from the lower airways were identified. The prevalence rate in the study period for S. aureus was 25.6% (n = 132), for H. influenzae 8.3% (n = 43) and for S. pneumoniae 8.5% (n = 44). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia was prevalent in patients with AWS in the ICU, and it had a predominantly bacterial aetiology. The most frequently isolated bacteria were S. aureus, H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Notably, the prevalence of S. aureus in our study cohort was similar to that in the overall ICU population at the study site. FUNDING: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Hospital Board of Directors as a quality study.
Source: Danish Medical Journal
Language: English
Topic: Nosocomial Infections in ICU
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415544411