Community-acquired pneumonia: pathophysiology and host factors with focus on possible new approaches to management of lower respiratory tract infections.
The present understanding of the pathophysiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) explains the mechanism for many specific manifestations, but does not address adequately why only some patients experience complications. Recent advances in under-standing the genetics of complex illnesses offer hope for a more complete insight into the pathogenesis of CAP. This article reviews genetic variation in the molecules involved in the known patho-genic mechanisms of CAP, including cough, bacterial recognition, inflammation and the compensatory anti-inflammatory response,and organ dysfunction.
Wunderink
Richard G
RG
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair, Suite 14-044, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. r-wunderink@northwestern.edu
Waterer
Grant W
GW
D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000503:physiopathology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors