The relationship between the aetiology of pneumonia in adults and certain clinical and radiographic findings

One hundred and six adults with pneumonia were reviewed to determine to what extent the presence of infections with viruses, mycoplasma and bacteria could be related to certain clinical and radiographic findings. Fifty-three patients with serological evidence of a recent infection with a virus or M. pneumoniae were compared with 53 patients in whom serological tests were negative. In a high proportion of both groups either potential bacterial pathogens were isolated or there was a history of antibacterial therapy before bacteriological examination.