Organisms That Can Cause Pneumonia (Bacteria)
Type of Organism
Disease
Most Common Mode of Transmission
Classic Features
Bacteria
Gram positive cocci
*most common cause of community acquired pneumonia in adults
*Typical pneumonia
inhalation of droplets
rusty sputum
Typical pneumonia
inhalation of droplets
Group A Streptococcus, pneumonia that killed Jim Hensen (The Muppets creator)
common cause of pneumonia in 0-2 month old patients
Typical pneumonia
inhalation of organisms as neonate passes down birth canal
Group B Streptococcus, usually causes pneumonia in neonates.
Typical pneumonia
IV drug use, inhalation of droplets, post-influenza
Multiple bilateral nodular infiltrates with central cavitation. In children one can see ill-defined, thin walled cavities ("pneumatoceles"), bronchopleural fistulas, and empyema. Common cause of pneumonia in cystic fibrosis patients
sp. anaerobe
**Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration
fluid-air levels, and abscess formation oftentimes seen on radiographs, foul breath, infiltrates in dependant lung segments
Bacteria
Gram positive rods
Typical pneumonia, Anthrax, Wool-Sorters disease
inhalation
Associated with wool sorting, with animal handlers, and veterinarians.
sp.
***Chronic pneumonia
inhalation; immunocompromised hosts
beaded filamentous appearance of the rod shaped bacteria, Pleura and chest wall involvment
sp. anaerobe
Chronic pneumonia
Aspiration
sulfur granules and a beaded appearance of the branched filamentous rod shaped bacteria, Rib destruction, Cutaneous sinuses, cavitation, spreads to pleura and chest wall
Bacteria
Gram negative cocci
Typical pneumonia
inhalation
epidemics in military recruits
Typical pneumonia
inhalation
Bacteria
Gram negative Rods
Typical pneumonia
aspiration
Current Jelly sputum, more commonly seen in patients with COPD, alcoholics, and the elderly, Bulging fissure sign of chest radiograph, lung necrosis
common cause of pneumonia in 0-2 month old patients
Typical pneumonia
aspiration
usually seen in neonates, lung necrosis
Typical pneumonia
aspiration or inhalation
green sputum, abscess formation, Common cause of pneumonia in cystic fibrosis patients and those with severely compromised respiratory defenses.
sp.
Typical pneumonia
aspiration or inhalation , often found on respiratory therapy equipment and on human skin
very difficult to treat due to multiple drug resistance.
Typical pneumonia
inhalation
exposure with contaminated soil
Typical pneumonia
inhalation
exposure with contaminated soil
Typical pneumonia, Pneumonic plague
Inhalation, or by hematogenous spread to lungs
Initial plague patients acquire this disease via flea bites
Typical pneumonia, Tularemia
Infection is via tick bite or contact with contaminated rabbits.
Typical pneumonia
inhalation
more commonly seen in patients with COPD, alcoholics, and the elderly.
Whooping cough
inhalation
bronchopneumonia
anaerobe
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration
fluid-air levels, and abscess formation oftentimes seen on radiographs, foul breath, infiltrates in dependant lung segments
sp. anaerobe
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration
fluid-air levels, and abscess formation oftentimes seen on radiographs, foul breath, infiltrates in dependant lung segments
Porphyromonas
sp. anaerobe
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration
fluid-air levels, and abscess formation oftentimes seen on radiographs, foul breath, infiltrates in dependant lung segments
Prevotella
sp. anaerobe
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration
fluid-air levels, and abscess formation oftentimes seen on radiographs, foul breath, infiltrates in dependant lung segments
sp.
Typical pneumonia
inhalation, aspiration
lung necrosis
sp.
Typical pneumonia
inhalation, aspiration
usually seen in immunocompromised hosts
Bacteria that do not gram stain or gram stain poorly
Chronic pneumonia
inhalation
ghon complexes, coin lesions, cavitation.
Other
Mycobacterium
sp.
Chronic pneumonia
inhalation, usually seen in immunocompromised host
****Atypical pneumonia
inhalation, usually the elderly or immunocompromised host
Relative bradycardia, abdominal pain, Vomiting and diarrhea, hematuria, mental confusion, abnormal liver and renal function tests, increased CPK
- colonies Most common cause of Atypical pneumonia in adults.
Atypical pneumonia
inhalation
bullous myringitis, cold agglutinin positive, cobweb like infiltrates of lungs
Chlamydia trachomatis
Atypical pneumonia
inhalation
an afebrile pneumonia, usually seen in 2 wk to 6 months of age
Chlamydia psittaci
Atypical pneumonia
inhalation
acquired from certain birds (ex. parrots), normal or low leukocyte count
Chlamydia pneumoniae
TWAR agent
Atypical pneumonia
inhalation
Coxiella burnetii
(Q-fever)
Atypical pneumonia
ingestion of comtaminated milk, or inhalation of contaminated aerosols from barnyard animals
abnormal liver function tests