Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias comprise usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP). Each of these entities has a typical im...

Of the variety of mycoplasma species, the smallest of free living organisms, only M. pneumoniae (Eaton agent) produces respiratory infections. These include pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, pharyngitis, and in 20% of cases, asymptomatic invasion . M. pneumoniae is one of a variety of organisms, including viruses, rickettsiae, and chlamydiae (psittacosis), that cause primary atypical pneumonia (PAP...

Amongst the myriad of problems that patients with severe neurodisability encounter is that of recurrent airway obstructions and intractable aspiration pneumonias due to dysfunction of the protective mechanism of the larynx. Here, we describe the use of total laryngectomy as a surgical option for these patients. Case was 24 year old male with severe cerebral palsy suffering from recurrent episod...

Histopathological classification schemes provide the underpinnings for separating idiopathic interstitial pneumonias into clinically meaningful groups. An interdisciplinary classification system based on a combination of evidence and expert opinion was published in 2002 and set the stage for controversy in several areas, including not only nomenclature but also the role of surgical lung biopsy ...

To the Editor—McCullers and colleagues [1] recently reported results of their studies of influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in ferrets. The findings documented that pneumococcal transmission was enhanced in ferrets previously infected with influenza: ferrets that were infected with pneumococci after—but not before—influenza infection developed lethal secondary pneumonias and other...

Community-acquired (CAP) and nosocomial pneumonias contribute substantially to morbidity hospital resource utilization. Hyponatremia, occurring in >1/4 of patients with CAP, is associated greater disease severity worsened outcomes.