PNEUMONIA
Written by Sarah Lee
Last Reviewed: April 2019
Review Due: April 2020
DEFINITION
‘an infection of the lower respiratory tract leading to inflammation and consolidation of the lung, typically categorised by the causative organism and source of infection’
Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) is one which develops after 48 hours of hospital admission. A Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is one acquired outwith a healthcare facility.
AETIOLOGY
Typical causative organisms in CAP include Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Haemophilus Influenzae. Atypical organisms include Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Staphylococcus Aureus, Legionalla species and Chlamydia.
Common organisms associated with HAP include Gram-Negative Enterobacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella.
Viruses such as Influenza and Parainfluenza account for up to 15% of all cases. In immunocompromised patients, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Haemophilus Influenzae, Pneumocystis Jirovecii, Cytomegalovirus and Varicella Zoster Virus may be found.
RISK FACTORS
-
Age >65 years
-
Living in nursing homes or healthcare settings
-
Underlying lung disease (e.g. COPD, bronchiectasis, asthma)
-
Smoking
-
Immunosuppression
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Classically, patients present with an acute - subacute onset of:
Breathlessness
Productive Cough (green/yellow sputum)
Pleuritic Chest Pain
Fever +/- Rigors
Fatigue and Malaise
​
Signs include:​
Pyrexia
Confusion (especially elderly patients)
Tachypnoea
EXAMINATION
​Auscultation: reduced breath sounds, crackles of the chest
Bronchial breathing - rare
Reduced chest expansion
Signs of consolidation:
Dull percussion
Increased vocal resonance
Increased tactile fremitus
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Defence mechanisms of the lung and lower airways are compromised, leading to colonisation and inflammation of the lung. Inflammation increases the permeability of capillaries lining the lung, leading to exudative congestion within alveoli. Consolidation of the lung ensues
Lobar Pneumonia: Consolidation of entire lobe(s) within lung in a focal manner.
Bronchopneumonia: Infection and congestion of terminal bronchioles and the surrounding alveoli, usually causes patchy consolidation of the lung.
Interstitial Pneumonia: Pneumonia affecting the lung interstitium.
Investigations
Sputum/Blood Culture: To identify the causative organism and check antibiotic sensitivities
FBC: Leukocytosis
​
CRP: Raised
​
U&Es: Assess baseline kidney function and check urea for severity scoring
​
CXR: Consolidation of the affected lobe(s)
TREATMENT
severity scoring
The CURB65 severity score predicts mortality and guides the management of patients with pneumonia. One point is awarded for each of the following:
Confusion (abbreviated mental test ≤ 8)
Urea >7mmol/L
Respiratory Rate ≥30/min
Blood Pressure <90mmHg Systolic and/or 60mmHg Diastolic
Age ≥ 65
management


COMPLICATIONS
-
Parapneumonic effusion
-
Empyema
-
Septic shock
-
ARDS
-
Lung abscess
EPIDEMIOLOGY
-
Men and women are equally affected (M:F 1:1)
-
Highest rates of pneumonia are among the young (under 5 years of age) and the old (ages 70 and up)
-
Within the UK, the mortality rate of pneumonia from 2001-2010 was 214 deaths for every million people.
REFERENCES
-
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine 10th Edition (pages 166-171)
-
http://handbook.ggcmedicines.org.uk/Search?keywords=pneumonia
-
http://www.japi.org/january_special_2012/03_pathophysiology_of_community.pdf