Key Points
➤ There is increasing recognition that respiratory viruses are
frequent causative agents of community acquired pneumonia
(CAP).
➤ Although at the time of document development SARS-CoV-2
was not a recognized CAP-causing pathogen, nucleic acid
amplification tests (NAATs) are the cornerstone of the CDC's
United States SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Plan.
➤ In outpatients with suspected CAP, the ATS suggests not
performing routine nucleic acid-based testing of respiratory
samples for viral pathogens other than influenza. (C-VL)
➤ In hospitalized patients with suspected CAP, the ATS
suggests nucleic acid-based testing of respiratory samples
for viral pathogens other than influenza only in patients that
meet one of the following conditions (C-VL):
• Patients with severe CAP (i.e., patients with ≥1 major or ≥3 minor
criteria)
• Immunocompromised patients (including neutropenia, active cancer
therapy, history of solid organ or blood component transplant,
advanced HIV disease, or chronic use of immunosuppressive
medications including systemic corticosteroids).
Diagnosis
