PAPA Francesco, 88 years oldhas pneumonia. This is the last bulletin released on the evening of February 18. The Pope was hospitalized last Friday at Polyclinic Gemini of Rome for the Retain bronchitis and an infection in the respiratory tract. Initially there was talk of bronchitis, then of respiratory infection, but now of bilateral pneumonia. The CT at which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon “requested a last lower drug therapy”, reads the note.
In yesterday’s bulletin there was talk of diagnosis of polymicrobial infection. It is a serious thing, not necessarily serious but that must be carefully monitored by a team of doctors, in the hospital. Especially in one case like this, of an elderly person with rather poor health, precautions cannot be missing. What is the polymicrobial infection that has hit and forced to bed in the hospital Pope Francis in the last few days? And why is he worrying faithful (and not) and media all over the world? How do you care? We searched for precise information referring to the latest international scientific studies.
Pope Francis remains in the hospital: that’s why
THE‘respiratory polyimicrobial infection It is a condition in which more than one type of microorganism (bacteria, viruses or mushrooms) infected the same organ. In the case of Pope Francis, it is the respiratory system. This situation is more complex Compared to a monomicrobial infection, since different pathogens interact with each othermaking the more difficult diagnosis and treatment. Poly -color infections are caused by combinations of viruses, bacteria, mushrooms and parasites that are responsible for acute and chronic diseases against various districts of the body.
In which situations polyimicrobial infections are most frequent
Poimicrobial infections are more frequent in certain clinical conditionslike hospital infections, in Immunocompromessi patients, or in presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Respiratory infections and urinary tract infections are common examples of polyimicrobial infections, but can also occur in other areas of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract and the skin.
A study published in the magazine Clinical Microbiology Reviews it highlighted that polymicrobial infections are a growing phenomenon in hospital infections, especially in elderly and comorbidity patients such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2017).
Pope Francis before hospitalization during the video transmitted to what time he does (Warner Bros Discovery/nine)
What does it mean for Pope Francis (and all the elderly) to have a polymicrobial infection?
In the specific case of Pope Francis, the polyimicrobial infection that hit him was treated with a timely medical intervention. According to information issued by the Vatican, the infection hit the Pope because of one respiratory complicationwhich requested a antibiotic treatment and careful management for Avoid further complications.
The Pope, as a person close to 90 years, has a naturally weaker immune system typical of advanced age. That’s why, like all elderly or fragile people, it is more susceptible to infections, especially the polymeralrobial ones that can evolve quickly and compromise health.
What are the causes of this complex infection that hit Pope Francis
Poly -color infections can derive from a series of causes. A decisive factor is the presence of Comorbidity as chronic diseasesincluding diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases. These conditions favor the proliferation of various pathogens, increasing the risk of an infection that involves more microorganisms as in the case of Pope Francis.
The scientific study on polyimicrobial infections and fragile subjects
In the case of Pope Francis, the polyimicrobial infection could have been aggravated by a respiratory context already compromise or from the presence of other pathogens, increasing the risk of overlapping infections.
An important revision published on Lancet Infectious Diseases (2020) examined the‘impact of comorbidity on polymicrobial infections in the elderly, By highlighting that patients with pre -existing diseases, such as diabetes or heart failure, are at greater risk of developing polyimicrobial infections involving bacteria, viruses and mushrooms simultaneously.
What therapies are there for polyimicrobial infections like that of Pope Francis?
The treatment of a poly -color infection depends on the type of pathogens involved. Since these infections are due to multiple microorganisms, the treatment requires one combination of antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal, chosen Based on the sensitivity of the microorganisms identified through microbiological tests.
In the case of a polyimicrobial respiratory infection, doctors have probably used one large spectrum antibiotic therapy To cover a wide range of bacteria, possibly integrating it with antiviral or antifungal drugs depending on the specific diagnosis.
An analysis published in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2018) he examined the effectiveness of the therapy combined in the polymicrobial infection, highlighting as a Targeted and timely approach with multiple classes of drugs can reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and improve results clinicals in elderly and comorbidity patients.
Will Pope Francis healed? What the prognosis depends on
The prognosis (i.e. the outcome of the disease) for polymycrobial infections depends a lot on the speed with which diagnosis was made and timely intervention. In elderly or comorbidity patients, it is essential carefully monitor the signs of complications.
In recent years, the progress of contemporary medicine, targeted therapies and the availability of rapid diagnostic tests have significantly improved the results for patients with these pathologies.
A study published on British Medical Journal in 2019 highlighted how the Prevention of polyimicrobial respiratory infections in fragile patients can significantly reduce mortality and improve the quality of life. The preventive approach based on vaccinations, hygiene and careful management of pre -existing pathologies has been defined crucial to prevent these infections in elderly and/or fragile patients.
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