The diagnosis of staphylococcal pneumonia
is challenging. No specific symptoms,
clinical signs, or imaging or laboratory
findings have been identified as having
high specificity for staphylococcal pneumonia.
Cavitation on chest imaging, a possible
marker for staphylococcal pneumonia
in adults,14 was identified in only two of 30
children hospitalized for CAP.10 Physicians
should have a high index of suspicion for
S. aureus infection in children with CAP,
especially those who are severely ill, have
current or recent influenza, or whose symptoms
do not improve with beta-lactam or
macrolide antibiotic therapy.