Reduction of Antibiotic Therapy by Biomakers in Patients With CAP Episodes (REDUCE Study)

Reduction of Antibiotic Therapy by Biomakers in Patients With CAP Episodes (REDUCE Study)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate two different treatment strategies in patients admitted to hospital with Community Acquired Pneumonia. The investigators hypothesize treatment according to both procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be effective in reducing the length of antibiotic treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and female patients with a diagnosis of CAP and all criteria listed below:

1. Age 18 or above, no upper age limit will be employed.

2. Patients must require hospitalisation.

3. Clinical presentation of an acute illness with one or more of the following symptoms:

   1. Temperature ≥ 38.0 ⁰C (100.4°F)
   2. Dyspnoea
   3. Cough (with or without expectoration of sputum)
   4. Chest pain
   5. Malaise or fatigue
   6. Myalgia
   7. Gastro-intestinal symptoms
   8. Rales, rhonchi or wheezing
   9. Egophony or bronchial breath sounds

4. New consolidation(s) on the chest radiograph.

5. Written informed consent obtained.

6. (Pre-event) Life expectancy > 30 days

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects presenting with any of the following will not be included in the study:

1. (Severe) immunosuppression (e.g. HIV infection, chemotherapy, use of immunosuppressants).
2. Active neoplastic disease.
3. Obstruction pneumonia (e.g. from lung cancer).
4. Aspiration pneumonia.
5. Pneumonia that developed within 8 days after hospital discharge.
6. Unable and/or unlikely to comprehend and/or follow the protocol.
7. Pregnant and/or lactating women.
8. Other infection that requires treatment with antibiotics