Low utilisation of diagnostic microbiology for community acquired pneumonia in regional Victoria

Abstract

In this setting, diagnostic microbiological tests such as respiratory virus PCR and urinary antigen tests are under-utilised. In contrast, sputum and serological investigations are commonly requested, however rarely influence practice. Interventions to facilitate efficient usage of diagnostic microbiology are required.

Determining the contribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae to community‐acquired pneumonia in Australia

“…Of the 12 studies included, seven 15 , 16 , 18 ‐ 20 , 22 , 24 had data allowing the proportions of CAP episodes attributable to pneumococcus to be calculated.…”

“…The study periods of these seven studies are shown in Box 2. Participants in three studies 16 , 20 , 22 were predominantly Indigenous; in the other four studies, participants were either reported 15 or assumed 18 , 19 , 24 to be predominantly non‐Indigenous.…”

“…In studies with predominantly non‐Indigenous participants, 15 , 18 , 19 , 24 the proportion of CAP due to pneumococci declined over time (Box 3). The proportion of CAP attributable to pneumococcus identified by any method decreased steadily from 26.4% in 1987–88 to 13.9% in 2004–06 ( P = 0.001).…”

“…The mean age of participants ranged from 47 to 79 years. Six studies 15 , 16 , 18 ‐ 20 , 22 included hospitalised cases only; one 24 was conducted in the emergency department only.…”

“…Of the 1165 studies retrieved, we identified 12 studies that provided data on the proportions of CAP episodes among adults for pathogen identification [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] (Box 1 and online Appendix, table 1). 2 Of the 12 studies included, seven 15,16,[18][19][20]22,24 had data allowing the proportions of CAP episodes attributable to pneumococcus to be calculated.…”