Incidence and diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonias requiring admission to hospital
Nielsen, S.V.; Poulsen, K.; Jørgensen, L.M.; Rasmussen, E.; Sanders, S.; Henrichsen, J.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 154(7): 412-415
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 1536052 Document Number: 402253
A prospective investigation of patients admitted to the local hospital during a period of one year was undertaken. A total of 107 patients participated. 50% of the cases of pneumonia were found by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The diagnosis was established partly by demonstration of antigens and increase in antibody titre and also employing the traditional methods: Blood culture, microscopic examination and culture of the expectorate or tracheal secretion. 70% of the patients were over the age of 60 years. The mortality was found to be 17%. The difficulties in etiological investigations of infections in the lower respiratory tract are discussed.