Antimicrobial treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly

Community-acquired pneumonia is a clinical diagnosis that has a significant impact on healthcare management around the world, especially in the fastest-growing segment of the population, those aged 65 or older. Early clinical suspicion and prompt empirical antimicrobial therapies are very important in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. This manuscript provides a review of the most recent literature published addressing etiological agents and antimicrobial management of community-acquired pneumonia in persons aged over 65 years with an emphasis on appropriate antimicrobial therapy for hospitalized elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia.