Lung Infections

The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation for a blood test to aid in diagnosing pneumonia and suspected lung infections in immunocompromised patients, according to a press release from the manufacturer.

In addition to suffering with cystic fibrosis, patients with this condition often contract lung infections that are difficult to treat; however, an upcoming study may reveal a way to lower infection prevalence.

With the current chest imaging technology, patients with suspected lung infections are unable to receive a specific diagnosis unless they undergo an invasive procedure and wait 2 to 3 days for their results, according to a press release.

Among patients with cystic fibrosis, increases in sulfate and specific metals in water raised the odds for nontuberculosis mycobacterial infections, according to results published in Environmental Epidemiology.

Three species of soil fungi, known to cause lung infections, have been found in U.S. states outside of what was historically accounted for by the CDC in 1969, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.