THORACIC AND RESPIRATORY
DISORDERS
TABLE 10.8. Common Community-Acquired Pneumonia Pathogens
ORGANISM CLASSICPATIENT CLASSICCLINICALPRESENTATION
Typical aerobic organisms
S. pneumoniae Extremes of age and chronically ill Peak incidence in winter and early spring
immunocompromise (eg, HIV, Abrupt onset of single-shaking chill
splenectomy) Rusty-colored sputum
Sepsis or multisystem illness
Haemophilus influenzae Elderly Peak incidence in winter and early spring
Underlying lung disease (eg, COPD) Less abrupt in onset
Klebsiellasp. Alcoholic or chronically debilitated Abrupt onset rigors (multiple) and chills
patient Currant-jelly sputum
Right upper lobe infiltrate with bulging fissure
Staphylococcus aureus Elderly Insidious onset
(MSSA, MRSA) Hematogenous (IVDA) Low-grade fever
Postinfluenza pneumonia Necrotizing pneumonia (empyema, lung abscess)
Anaerobes
Peptostretococcus Aspiration Subacute or chronic presentations
Fusobacterium Poor dental hygiene Necrotizing pneumonia (empyema or lung
Bacteroides abscess)
Prevotella
Atypical organisms
Mycoplasmasp. Younger, healthy patient Year round
Subacute illness
May see extrapulmonary manifestions (eg, rash,
bullous myringitis, pericarditis)
Legionella sp. Immunosuppressed Year round
Smokers Mild to multisystem illness
Outbreaks associated with aerosolized GI symptoms
water (eg, showers) Hyponatremia
Pleuritic CP and pleural effusions common
Chlamydophila(formerly Younger, healthy patient Mild, subacute illness
Chlamydia) pneumoniae
Viral pathogens
RSV Infants and young children Autumn and winter months
Parainfluenza
Influenza