Aspiration pneumonia

Abstract

SUMMARY • Aspiration pneumonia is diagnosed upon confirmation of inflammatory findings in the lungs and overt aspiration (apparent aspiration) or a condition in which aspiration is strongly suspected (abnormal swallowing function and dysphagia). • In hospital‐acquired pneumonia, this occurs as one consequence of frequent silent aspiration. • In the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia, evaluation of the risk of silent aspiration during the night and evaluation of swallowing function are important. • The causative microorganisms in aspiration pneumonia, similar to community‐acquired pneumonia, are basically thought to be bacteria residing in the oral cavity, such as pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobes. • Hospital‐acquired aspiration pneumonia often occurs with no distinction between apparent and silent aspiration, and in many cases, aspiration of foreign substances is serious when dysphagia itself is severe. • In the treatment of aspiration pneumonia, use of antimicrobials for the pneumonia itself and early measures to prevent aspiration are important.

Risk Factors for Aspiration Pneumonia in Older Adults

“…The present study had some limitations. Although aspiration pneumonia in the present study was clinically diagnosed based on the consensus by the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) committee of the Japanese Study Group on Aspiration Pulmonary Diseases [ 20 ], we were not able to assess swallowing function using functional assessments (e.g., the water swallowing test, repetitive saliva swallowing test, or simple-swallowing provocation test) for all patients residing in a GHSF. However, the presence of overt symptoms of dysphagia and a medical history of aspiration were considered as swallowing disorders in the patients.…”

“…Aspiration pneumonia was defined as an episode in the 3 months previous to the observation period, which was diagnosed by geriatricians in each GHSF according to the consensus by Japanese Study Group by the committee of Japan Respiratory Society on Aspiration Pulmonary Disease definition as pneumonia in a patient with a predisposition to aspiration because of dysphagia or swallowing disorders [ 20 ]. Since the swallowing function was not able to assess in all GHSF using the specialized examination tests, the presence of overt symptoms of dysphagia or the medical history of aspiration was determined as swallowing disorders in the patients.…”

“…Since the swallowing function was not able to assess in all GHSF using the specialized examination tests, the presence of overt symptoms of dysphagia or the medical history of aspiration was determined as swallowing disorders in the patients. This method was allowed by the consensus of JRS [ 20 ]. Age was analysed as the continuous variable and as the stratified age groups with 65–74yrs., 75–89yrs, and ≥90yrs.…”

Aspiration pneumonia in the child with DiGeorge syndrome -A case report-

“…Clinical signs, such as coughing, bucking, and incomplete paralysis supporting aspiration did not occur. It is known that hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs as a consequence of frequent silent aspirations of nasal, throat, and periodontal secretions [10]. Besides silent aspiration, succinylcholine could be a causative factor, even with sufficient fasting time before the operation, and complete paralysis.…”

Pneumonitis and pneumonia after aspiration

“…Bacterial load introduced from the oral cavity or upper gastrointestinal tract is normally nonvirulent and are usually anaerobic organisms, capable of inducing lung infections due to their large volume [ 6 9 ]. However, despite attempts for a more clear-cut classification, there is still confusion surrounding the terminology and the precise definition [ 10 ].…”