Aetiology and outcome of severe community-acquired pneumonia.
Between January 1972 and December 1981, 50 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were admitted to the intensive care unit of a district general hospital. A causal pathogen was identified in 41 cases (82%). Streptococcus pneumoniae (16 cases), Legionella pneumophila (15 cases) and Staphylococcus aureus (5 cases) were the commonest. Assisted ventilation was required in 44 patients, of whom 25 died (57%). All 5 patients with staphylococcal pneumonia and 12(75%) with pneumococcal pneumonia died. Only 5 (33%) with Legionnaires' disease died. Mortality was significantly associated with age. Recommendations for the management of severe pneumonia are made.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011023:Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D006113:United Kingdom