Pulmonary Infections in the Immunocompromised Host

Yves Bergeron, Michel G. Bergeron, Yahya Alwatari, Rachit D. Shah

Key Points

  • Lower respiratory tract infections, especially pneumonia, are the first cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Pneumonia in an immunocompromised host is difficult to diagnose.
  • A high degree of suspicion and controlling the immunosuppressive state is key to the outcome.
  • Microbiologic diagnosis is slow, but new rapid DNA-based tests are coming.
  • Pathogenesis and clinical radiographic manifestations are different in normal and immunocompromised hosts.
  • Recent therapeutic guidelines are useful.

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