[11] Pneumonia Flashcards
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a general term denoting inflammation of the gas-exchanging region of the lung, usually due to infection (bacterial or viral). It is therefore an infection of the lung parenchyma
What is pneumonitis?
Inflammation of the lung parenchyma due to other causes, such as physical or chemical damage
What are the different types of pneumonia?
- Lobar pneumonia
- Bronchopneumonia
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Interstital pneumonia
- Chronic pneumonia
What is lobar pneumonia?
Pneumonia that is localised to a particular lobe of the lung
What is lobar pneumonia most commonly due to?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is bronchopneumonia?
Pneumonia that is diffuse and patchy
How does bronchopneumonia develop?
It starts in the airways, and spreads to adjacent alveoli and lung tissue
What organisms cause bronchopneumonia?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenza
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Anaerobes
- Coliforms
What is aspiration pneumonia?
When aspiration of food, drink, saliva, or vomit causes pneumonia
What organisms cause aspiration pneumonia?
- Oral flora
- Anaerobes
What is interstitial pneumonia?
Inflammation of the intersticium of the lung
What does the intersticium of the lung consist of?
- Alveolar epithelium
- Pulmonary capillary endothelium
- Basement membrane
- Perivascular and perilymphatic tissue
What is chronic pneumonia?
Inflammation of the lungs that persist for an extended period of time
What are the common bacteria causing pneumonia?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
What are the atypical bacteria causing pneumonia?
- Chlamydia pneumophilia
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Legionella pneumophilia
What hospital acquired bacteria cause pneumonia?
- Gram -ve enteric bacteria
- Pseudomonas
- Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA
What features are associated with S. Pneumoniae pneumonia?
- Elderly
- Co-morbidities
- Acute onset
- High fever
- Pleuritic chest pain
What features are associated with H. Influenzae pneumonia?
COPD
What features are associated with legionella pneumonia?
- Recent travel
- Younger patient
- Smoker
- Illness
- Multi-system involvement
What features are associated with mycoplasma pneumonia?
- Young
- Prior antibiotics
- Extra-pulmonary involvement, e.g. haemolysis, skin and joint problems
What features are associated with S. Aureus pneumonia?
- Post-viral
- IV drug users
What features are associated with chlamydia pneumonia?
Contact with birds
What features are associated with klebsiella pneumonia?
- Thrombocytopenia
- Leucopenia
What viruses can cause pneumonia?
- Most commonly RSV
- Influenza type A or B
What % of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses?
About 15%
What groups are at higher risk of pneumonia?
- Babies and very young children
- Elderly
- Smokers
- Co-morbidities
- Immunocompromised
What co-morbidities can increase the risk of pneumonia?
- Asthma
- CF
- Heart, kidney, or liver conditions
What can cause immunocompromisation?
- Recent illness such as flu
- Infection with HIV/AIDS
- Chemotherapy
- Anti-organ transplant rejection medication use
What are the risk factors for aspiration pneumonia?
- Altered level of conciousness
- Problems swallowing
What can cause altered level of consciousness increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia?
- Anaesthesia
- Alcohol
- Drug abuse