Does Empirical Therapy with a Fluoroquinolone or the Combination of a β-Lactam Plus a Macrolide Result in Better Outcomes for Patients Admitted to the General Ward?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide, in particular among older patients and those with significant comorbid conditions. Current guidelines recommend therapy with a fluoroquinolone or a B-lactam plus a macrolide for the treatment of hospitalized adults with CAP who do not require admission to an intensive care unit. This article provides, a brief summary and overview of the existing literature on this topic categorized by the main results; the potential implications for future clinical practice and research are discussed.