EMPIRIC THERAPY IN LOWER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTION - AN ONGOING CHALLENGE

Lower respiratory tract infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The pattern of pneumonia is altering, owing to changes in a number of influencing factors. These include patient characteristics , such as an aging population, increased immunosuppression and chronic disease, and changes in medical practice. There is also an increasing level of resistance to antimicrobial agents by organisms such as Stre ptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, the pathogens most co mmonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia. In the management of pneumonia, it is important to be able to differentiate between aty pical and typical pneumonia in the clinical setting and to grade the s everity of the infection. Currently, there are no internationally agre ed treatment recommendations for pneumonia. The role of antimicrobial agents in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis is still a controv ersial issue.