Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is one of
the important causes of morbidity and mortality
in the world. According to the WHO, LRTI is the
number one cause of infection-related deaths and
is the third leading cause of all deaths.1 Precise
identification of the etiologic agents and early
initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy is
very important in treatment. Delays of 4-8 hours
in starting treatment have been shown to increase
mortality.