A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection

Abstract Pleural infection encompasses a spectrum of disease that can present significant challenges in clinical practice. Despite better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and microbiology, outcomes for patients remain poor. The use of antibiotics and chest tube drainage continue to be...

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Main Authors: Steven J. Smith, Benjamin J. Pippard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-07-01
Series:Pulmonary Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41030-025-00308-z
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author Steven J. Smith
Benjamin J. Pippard
author_facet Steven J. Smith
Benjamin J. Pippard
author_sort Steven J. Smith
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pleural infection encompasses a spectrum of disease that can present significant challenges in clinical practice. Despite better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and microbiology, outcomes for patients remain poor. The use of antibiotics and chest tube drainage continue to be the mainstay of treatment, with surgery often reserved for those not responding to initial medical therapy. However, at present, the optimal management strategy for individual patients—including the role of early surgical and/or intrapleural therapy—is not clear. In this article, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pleural infection, highlighting current concepts and key practice points to aid the reader in caring for this important and often complex group of patients.
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publisher Adis, Springer Healthcare
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series Pulmonary Therapy
spelling doaj-art-a01ef670ea9c40c8aaa3774a33f366d52025-08-24T11:42:40ZengAdis, Springer HealthcarePulmonary Therapy2364-17542364-17462025-07-0111353555110.1007/s41030-025-00308-zA Practical Approach to Pleural InfectionSteven J. Smith0Benjamin J. Pippard1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAbstract Pleural infection encompasses a spectrum of disease that can present significant challenges in clinical practice. Despite better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and microbiology, outcomes for patients remain poor. The use of antibiotics and chest tube drainage continue to be the mainstay of treatment, with surgery often reserved for those not responding to initial medical therapy. However, at present, the optimal management strategy for individual patients—including the role of early surgical and/or intrapleural therapy—is not clear. In this article, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pleural infection, highlighting current concepts and key practice points to aid the reader in caring for this important and often complex group of patients.https://doi.org/10.1007/s41030-025-00308-zChest drainEffusionEmpyemaParapneumonicPleural infection
spellingShingle Steven J. Smith
Benjamin J. Pippard
A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
Pulmonary Therapy
Chest drain
Effusion
Empyema
Parapneumonic
Pleural infection
title A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
title_full A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
title_fullStr A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
title_full_unstemmed A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
title_short A Practical Approach to Pleural Infection
title_sort practical approach to pleural infection
topic Chest drain
Effusion
Empyema
Parapneumonic
Pleural infection
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s41030-025-00308-z
work_keys_str_mv AT stevenjsmith apracticalapproachtopleuralinfection
AT benjaminjpippard apracticalapproachtopleuralinfection
AT stevenjsmith practicalapproachtopleuralinfection
AT benjaminjpippard practicalapproachtopleuralinfection