Severe community-acquired pneumonia
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Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
1Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is likely to be severe in the very elderly, and clinically significant in those with hepatic/ renal insufficiency, cardiopulmonary disease, or, impaired host defenses. Pathogens in mild, moderately severe, and severe CAP are the same. These pathogens determine prognosis, complications, and duration of therapy. Empiric antimicrobial therapy should be based on likely pathogens, not severity of illness which affects the potency but not spectrum of antibiotic selected.
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