[Staphylococcal pneumonia : a review of 18 cases at Tygerberg Hospital]

Abstract

A retrospective study of 18 cases of staphylococcal pneumonia is described. The majority of patients were young males without any predisposing factors. A vasculitic rash, three-organ failure and diffuse intravascular coagulation were poor prognostic factors. The value of steroids was doubtful but plasmapheresis probably played a part in the survival of 3 patients with fulminating staphylococcal pneumonia. The case fatality rate for the whole group was 38%. Primary staphylococcal pneumonia probably had a better prognosis but left more residual lung damage than the secondary form of the disease.