Extrapulmonary manifestations of community acquired pneumonia
Bascir, G.; Aguilar, A.M.; Abbet, P.
Revue Medicale Suisse 10(445): 1876; 1878-1881
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 25417358 Document Number: 678160
The key diagnostic features of community acquired pneumonia are sometimes mixed with extrapulmonary clinical manifestations which are important to recognize. Indeed, when present, these clinical clues can help tailor the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in a more specific way. For example, the presence of diarrhea, acute confusion and hyponatremia are suggestive of Legionella pneumophila, and therefore this pathogen needs to be included in the initial antibiotic regimen. Extrapulmonary manifestations are sometimes difficult to distinguish from septic complications of the pneumonia, but can sometimes warrant a specific treatment. The goal of this review is to remind the reader of the broad spectrum of these manifestations and their association with specific pathogens, most often the "atypical" ones.