Introduction and background

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the leading cause of infectious deaths worldwide. In certain patient populations, for example, those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), it continues to be the most common cause of death. The vast majority of LRTIs that cause significant morbidity and mortality are bacterial and viral pneumonias in immunocompetent patients. These infections are more often diagnosed by clinical and laboratory findings alone. Fungal infections are the third most common type of LRTI and occur most frequently in immunocompromised patients (ICPs). Parasitic LRTIs are not infrequently encountered in people inhabiting tropical areas of Asia and Africa but they are exceedingly rare in most developed countries.

Mediastinal infections (MIs) occur much less frequently than LRTIs but are considered a surgical emergency and are associated with a very high mortality rate. In ICPs, acute bacterial infections are the most common followed by fungal infections. Parasitic infections very rarely involve this anatomical site.