community-acquired pneumonia


community-acquired pneumonia (CAP),

pneumonia caused by any organism found regularly outside the hospital; common organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma, as opposed to hospital-acquired or nosocomical pneumonia.

community-acquired pneumonia

(kə-myo͞o′nĭ-tē-)n. Pneumonia that a person acquires outside of a hospital or other health care institution, as distinguished from nosocomial, or hospital-acquired pneumonia.

community-acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by an infection currently present in the community; CAP is the most common cause of infectious death–US, and number 6 killer overall; of the 57% of CAPs in which a pathogen is identified, S pneumoniae causes 60%, H influenzae 15%, Legionella pneumophila 10-15%, Staphylococcus aureus 2-10% Clinical Atypical pneumonia with delayed recognition; early SX are distinctly nonpulmonary–eg, dry cough, myalgia, arthralgia Diagnosis Pathogens in pleural fluid or blood cultures, Pneumocystis carinii in sputum or BAL, a 4-fold ↑ in Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibody titers, isolation of L pneumophila, or a 4-fold ↑ in L pneumophila antibody titers, or positive direct fluorescent antibody test for legionella, S pneumoniae antigen in serum, urine Risk factors Alcoholism, seizure disorders, smoking, immunosuppression

community-acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia occurring in outpatients, often caused by infection with streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and atypical organisms such as Legionella species. Mortality is approximately 15% but depends on many host and pathogen features. See also: pneumonia