title: Bacterial infections of the pleural space.
abstract: Empyema has been a prominent component of the medical literature since the time of Hippocrates. The condition has proven to be a rapidly moving target with a considerable shifting in bacteriologic patterns, diagnostic methods, and guidelines for clinical management. The most common etiologic agents are bacteria, which are the subject of this review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bartlett
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections; D004653:Empyema / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology