Atypical CAP Panel

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CAP refers to any of the pneumonia or various lung diseases that occur during daily life in the community, outside the health system, in other words, in a previously healthy person who was not hospitalized before the onset of the complaint. The main bacteria causing respiratory infections including CAP are Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila.

Pneumonia caused by Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a worldwide occurring health problem. C. pneumoniae may colonize in the patient’s nose, throat, windpipe and lungs. Bacteria is transmitted through hand contact, inhalation and environmental surfaces which are generated when infected person who sneeze, sick coughs in close contact with a healthy individual.

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of legionellosis, which refers to Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Legionnaires’ disease is a bronchopneumonia with an attack rate of 2-7% and a 2-10 days long incubation period. M. pneumoniae infections with an incubation period of 2-3 weeks, occur worldwide without relation to season or geography and can cause epidemics every 4-8 years.