Clinical characteristics of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection as the sole cause of community-acquired pneumonia

The clinical characteristics of 26 patients with community-acquired pneumon ia due to Chlamydia pneumoniae as the only identified pathogen who required hospitalization were evaluated. Most patients (18) had reinfection based o n serological results. The mean age of the patients was 55 years (38 years, patients with primary infection; 63 years, patients with reinfection), and the gender representation was equal. Generally, illness was mild and assoc iated with limited temperature elevation and nonspecific symptoms. The pres ence of comorbid illnesses and the requirement of supplemental oxygen thera py were the most common criteria for hospital admission.