Pneumococcus:
Clinical:
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcal) pneumonia accounts for between 80-90% of cases of community acquired bacterial pneumonias. Patients with underlying chronic illnesses, cardiac, or pulmonary disease are more susceptible to developing bacterial pneumonia than the general population. Patients present with the abrupt onset of fever, chills, and a productive cough (often with blood tinged sputum). The mortality rate remains high (about 5%) despite antibiotic therapy.The likelihood for multilobar or bilateral pneumonia is increased in HIV patients. The incidence of bacteremia associated with pulmonary infection in these patients is 100 times that of the general population.
X-ray:
Pneumococcal pneumonia most commonly presents as a segmental or lobar alveolar consolidation. Pleural effusion can be found in 10-60% of cases. Cavitation is very uncommon with pneumococcal infection.REFERENCES:
(1) Radiol Clin N Am 2005; Tarver RD, et al. Radiology of community-acquired pneumonia. 43: 497-512
