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Atypical pneumonia (Review)

Vasiliki Epameinondas GEORGAKOPOULOU, Ioannis G. Lempesis, Kyriakos Tarantinos, Pagona Sklapani, Νικόλαος Τράκας, Demetrios A. Spandidos

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 2024

26 citations

Abstract

Atypical pneumonia encompasses diverse pathogens, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella species, which differ from typical bacterial pneumonia in their extrapulmonary manifestations.Clinical differentiation relies on systemic involvement rather than on standalone symptoms.Despite challenges in distinct diagnosis, syndromic approaches and weighted point systems aid in accurate presumptive diagnoses.Antibiotic treatment, often non-β-lactams due to the unique cell structures of atypical pathogens, targets intracellular processes.Macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones and ketolides are effective due to their intracellular penetration, crucial for combating these intracellular pathogens.The prevalence of atypical pneumonia varies globally, with Europe, Asia/Africa and Latin America reporting detection rates between 20-28%.Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a primary cause of pneumonia; however, atypical pathogens contribute significantly to this disease, being more prevalent in outpatient settings and among young adults.Legionella stands out in severe hospitalized cases and is associated with higher mortality rates.Diagnosis proves challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other respiratory infections.Differentiation among pathogens, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella relies on subtle clinical variations and imaging findings.Diagnostic methods include serological studies, cultures and polymerase chain reaction, each…

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