Background: The optimal management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) depends on the clinical and microbiological
profile in the locality.
Objectives: To determine the clinical and microbiological profile of patients admitted with CAP in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methods: One hundred and two consenting consecutively selected patients with clinical and radiologic confirmation of
CAP were recruited in 12 months. The socio-demographic, physical examination and laboratory/radiologic parameters were
documented in a questionnaire. Microbiological evaluation of their sputum was done and blood samples were taken for
complete blood count, culture, serum urea and serological evaluation for atypical bacteria and some viral pathogens.
Results: CAP constituted 5.9% of the total medical admissions during the one-year study period. The mean age of the patients
was 49 ± 22 years with the largest frequency in those aged 65 years and above. The commonest symptoms were shortness
of breath (96.1%) and cough (94.1%), with a median duration of 3 days from symptom onset to admission. Systemic
hypertension was the commonest comorbid illness (25/102; 24.5%).
Klebsiella pneumoniae
was the predominant pathogen isolated
(20/102; 28.1%). The susceptible antibiotics were Imipenem, Ceftazidime and Ceftriaxone. Intra-hospital mortality was
17.6%. CURB – 65 score of ≥ 2 and the presence of complications of CAP were the independent predictors of mortality.
Conclusion: CAP constitutes a significant disease burden in Ilorin, Nigeria. Typical bacteria accounted for over half of the
pathogens isolated from the patients with gram negative agents predominating. This highlights a possible shift in the microbiological
profile which could guide empirical treatment.
