Microbiological analysis:
The hemoglobin level, thrombocyte and leukocyte count, CRP level, and
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were examined upon admission, and
there was no significant difference in terms of these factors between
the CCAP and CAP groups. CCAP patients had a significantly higher CRP
level than CAP patients (10.06±7.55 vs 4.43±3.37 g/L, p=0.007)
(Table-1). No pathological growth was observed in the samples in one
patient who underwent sputum culture and in 15 patients who underwent
thoracentesis. In 3 (4.4%) of 68 patients who underwent blood culture,
growth was observed. In two patients who were followed-up for CAP,
growth in the blood culture during follow-up (n=1, Staphylococcus SPP
and n=1, Streptococcus acidominimus ) was considered
contamination, and there was no growth in the control blood cultures.
Moreover, clinical and radiological improvements were observed in these
patients without changing the current therapy. Pseudomonas
aeruginosa growth was observed in the blood culture of a patient who
was followed for CCAP and pneumatocele after NP, and treatment was
modified accordingly (Table-4).
In total, 22 (19.46%) patients underwent respiratory viral DNA
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and microorganisms were
not detected via PCR in 8 patients. In total, 14 (63.6%) patients (n=6,
respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]; n=3, adenovirus; n=2, influenza
type A; n=1, coronavirus; n=1, metapneumovirus; and n=1, bocavirus) had
positive PCR results. Not all patients can undergo respiratory viral PCR
amplification due to technical problems. Hence, RSV and other viral
agents identified via viral PCR amplification were not significant risk
factors for CCAP development (Table-4).