The pathology of community-acquired pneumonia.
A good understanding of pathologic processes facilitates clinical approaches to the diagnosis of respiratory disorders. The pathology of community-acquired pneumonia is reviewed. The gross appearance and microscopic features of bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, and mixed patterns are compared. Next, features of lung injury incited by specific microbial agents are discussed. Specific histological clues to diagnosis of the causative agent are highlighted where applicable. Special techniques are available to aid the pathologist in diagnosis of specific microbial agents in biopsy materials. The benefits and pitfalls of using immunohistochemical stains and molecular biologic techniques, such as in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction are briefly presented. Finally, the methods by which material for study are obtained, (open lung biopsy, fine needle aspiration, and bronchoalveolar lavage), are discussed with respect to advantages and limitations.
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
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D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity