Lung Abscess

Duration of Treatment

Highly dependent on etiology

Consider risk factors in management:

  • dental disease

  • alcoholism

  • underlying lung disease

  • travel history

  • immunosupression

TB/parasitic/fungal etiology is possible as well as unusual bacteria like nocardia, legionella and actinomyces spp.

Non-infectious causes are also common (cancer, rheumatologic disease, pulmonary emboli)

De-escalate

Depends on etiology or response

Microbiology

Usual Pathogens

Polymicrobial, including

Anaerobes

Less Common Pathogens

Nocardia

Actinomyces spp