• Na Li, Xixin Yan, Zhiwei Lu, Xiaonan You, and Shengfen Yang.
• Na Li, Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, Hebei Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei, China.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2024 Aug 1; 40 (7): 135513601355-1360.

ObjectiveTo investigate the pathogen distribution and clinical characteristics of acute community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections (CALRTIs).MethodsThis was a retrospective study. The clinical data of 218 patients with CALRTIs admitted to Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from December 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected and were divided into two groups according to the results of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) testing using a nasopharyngeal swab: streptococcus pneumoniae positive group(observation group) and non-streptococcus pneumoniae positive group(control group). Clinical symptoms, blood gas analysis indicators were compared between the two groups.ResultsHaemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as virus and atypical pathogen infection, were the predominant pathogenic bacteria in both groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in the positive rates of sputum smear, sputum culture, respiratory virus detection and atypical pathogen detection between the two groups(P>0.05). However, the control group had a higher detection rate of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and Legionella pneumophila in sputum smears than the observation group, with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). One death occurred in each group, with no significant difference in mortality and six in each group left the hospital or were transferred due to deterioration, with no significant difference in improved discharge rates.ConclusionAcute community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections(CALRTIs) take bacteria, viruses and atypical pathogens as its leading pathogenic bacteria. In the treatment of patients with acute CALRTIs, early pathogenic examination should be performed to assist in guiding antibiotic therapy for rapid control, early recovery and ameliorated clinical outcomes.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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