Do prophylactic antibiotics reduce mortality in immunocompromised patients with spontaneous pneumothorax?

Report By: Dr Nigel Salter - SpR, Emrgency Medicine
Search checked by Dr Nigel Salter - SpR, Emergency Medicine
Institution: Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick
Date Submitted: 26th November 2009
Last Modified: 26th November 2009
Status: Red (incomplete)

Three Part Question

In [immunocompromised patients with spontaneous pneumothorax] do [prophylactic antibiotics] result in [reduced mortality]

Clinical Scenario

A 32 year old patient with a history of HIV attends the emergency department with acute onset of shortness of breath. A chest X-ray reveals a right sided large pneumothorax. You wonder whether prophylactic antibiotics will improve his survival rate.