Incidence, etiologic pathogens, and diagnostic testing of community-acquired pneumonia.
Determination of the etiologic pathogens of community-acquired pneumonia has been problematic because of the lack of reliable rapid laboratory diagnostic tools as well as the controversy concerning diagnostic criteria. In the studies reviewed here, a specific pathogen was identified in 39% to 88% of patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Depending on the demographics of the study, between 2% to 43% of cases have been attributed to legionella or Chlamydia pneumoniae. More recently, other pathogens have emerged, including respiratory syncytial virus in adults, hantavirus, and possibly legionella-like amoebal pathogens and Streptococcus milleri group. Treatment guidelines published by various societies of experts have been helpful, but they cannot replace the need for better and rapid diagnostic techniques.
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T M
TM
Department of Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Akron 44304, USA.
Tan
J S
JS
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*