In immunocompromised patients, pneumonia presents a diagnostic challenge due to diverse etiologies, nonspecific symptoms, overlapping radiological presentation, frequent co-infections, and the potential for rapid progression to severe disease. Thus, timely and accurate diagnosis of all pathogens is crucial. This narrative review explores the latest advancements in microbiological diagnostic techniques for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. It covers major available microbiological tools for diagnosing both community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia, encompassing a wide spectrum of pathogens including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic. While traditional culture methods remain pivotal in identifying many pneumonia-causing etiologies, their limitations in sensitivity and time to results have led to the rise of non-invasive antigen tests and molecular diagnostics. These are increasingly employed alongside cultures and microscopy for more efficient diagnosis, mainly in viral and fungal infections. Lastly, we report the future of pneumonia diagnostics, exploring the potential of metagenomics and CRISPR/Cas13a for more precise and rapid pathogen detection in immunocompromised populations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020389 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody positivity on infection and hospitalisation rates in immunosuppressed populations during the omicron period: the MELODY study.
Lancet
January 2025
Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK; Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. Electronic address:
Background: In the UK, booster COVID-19 vaccinations have been recommended biannually to people considered immune vulnerable. We investigated, at a population level, whether the absence of detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody (anti-S Ab) following three or more vaccinations in immunosuppressed individuals was associated with greater risks of infection and severity of infection.
Methods: In this prospective cohort study using UK national disease registers, we recruited participants with solid organ transplants (SOTs), rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RAIRDs), and lymphoid malignancies.
Human Metapneumovirus: an emerging respiratory pathogen and the urgent need for improved Diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccine development.
Infect Dis (Lond)
January 2025
Department of Medicine, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a re-emerging respiratory pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. First identified in 2001, HMPV has since been recognised as a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) worldwide. Its transmission occurs through droplets, direct contact, and surface contamination, with crowded spaces and healthcare facilities serving as key environmental amplifiers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVirological Aspects of COVID-19 in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Duration of Viral Shedding and Genetic Analysis.
Viruses
December 2024
Laboratory of Microbiology and Biochemistry (LR16SP01), Aziza Othmana Hospital, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a significant fatality rate and persistent evolution in immunocompromised patients. In this prospective study, we aimed to determine the duration of excretion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 37 Tunisian patients with hematological malignancies (40.5% with lymphoma and 37.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPneumonia Severity Is Associated with Taxonomic Shifts in the Respiratory Microbiota.
Pathogens
January 2025
Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Pneumonia caused by infection (PCP) is a potentially life-threatening illness, particularly affecting the immunocompromised. The past two decades have shown an increase in PCP incidence; however, the underlying factors that promote disease severity and fatality have yet to be fully elucidated. Recent evidence suggests that the microbiota of the respiratory tract may play a role in stimulating or repressing pulmonary inflammation, as well as the progression of both bacterial and viral pneumonia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiagnostic Approach to Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Hosts.
J Clin Med
January 2025
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy.
In immunocompromised patients, pneumonia presents a diagnostic challenge due to diverse etiologies, nonspecific symptoms, overlapping radiological presentation, frequent co-infections, and the potential for rapid progression to severe disease. Thus, timely and accurate diagnosis of all pathogens is crucial. This narrative review explores the latest advancements in microbiological diagnostic techniques for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!