![]() ![]() Once suspected, the diagnosis and management of pneumonia are defined by the patient’s risk factors (age, comorbidities, immunologic status, environmental exposures), physical examination findings, and the results of laboratory tests. This creates a challenge in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients. Pneumonia is a heterogeneous illness both clinically and epidemiologically. The prompt diagnosis and prevention of community spread of some atypical microorganisms can have a relevant impact on local, regional, and global health policies.ĭespite the availability of antimicrobial agents and effective vaccines, pneumonia continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide and is among the most common causes of death and morbidity in the United States ( 1, 2). Clarifying and unifying the definition of atypical pneumonia among the medical community, including radiologists, are of extreme importance. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of atypical pneumonia, as in many cases its findings may first suggest the possibility of an atypical infection. Considering the difficulty of isolating atypical microorganisms and the significant overlap in clinical manifestations, a targeted empirical therapy is not possible. Zoonotic and nonzoonotic bacteria, as well as viruses, have been considered among the causes of atypical pneumonia in a patient who is immunocompetent and have been associated with major community outbreaks of respiratory infection, with relevant implications in public health policies. Among the causes of community-acquired pneumonia, atypical bacteria are responsible for approximately 15% of cases. There is inconsistency in the definition of the group of microorganisms that cause “atypical pneumonia.” Nevertheless, the use of this term in the medical and radiologic literature is common. The epidemiologic and clinical heterogeneity of pneumonia results in challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Pneumonia is among the most common causes of death worldwide. ![]()
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