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THE ROLE OF ATYPICAL PATHOGENS: MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE, CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE, AND LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA IN RESPIRATORY INFECTION

1998; Elsevier BV; Volume: 12; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0891-5520(05)70199-9

1557-9824

Thomas M. File, James S. Tan, Joseph F. Plouffe,

Microbial infections and disease research

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila are common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The results of recent studies indicate that they cause 8% to 50% (in selected populations) of cases of CAP.3, 4, 7, 10, 15, 24, 31, 71, 82, 84, 91, 110, 115 Recent guidelines for management of CAP acknowledge the significance of these "atypical" pneumonia pathogens by suggesting the need for empiric therapy that is active against these organisms.4, 93 In a recent prospective study from Ohio of 2776 patients hospitalized with CAP, the authors found these three pathogens ranked numbers 2, 3, and 4 of all etiologic organisms categorized as meeting criteria for "definite" diagnosis.84 In the past decade, considerable new information has developed concerning the role of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. in the cause of CAP. Despite this, controversy remains concerning various issues. This article summarizes the prevalence, perspectives of classifying these organisms as "atypical" pathogens, and specific clinical features of these important organisms.