Table 2.

Recommended tests per IDSA/ATS 2007 guidelines

Tests	Indications
Blood culture	ICU admission. Consider if multiple of: cavitary infiltrate, leucopenia, active alcohol abuse, chronic liver disease, asplenia, pneumococcal UAT positive, pleural effusion
Sputum culture	ICU admission, failure of outpatient antibiotics, cavitary infiltrate, severe COPD/structural disease, active alcohol abuse, legionella or pneumococcal UAT positive, pleural effusion
Legionella UAT	ICU admission, failure of outpatient antibiotics, active alcohol abuse, recent travel within 2 wk, pleural effusion
Pneumococcal UAT	ICU admission, failure of outpatient antibiotics, leukopenia, asplenia, active alcohol abuse, chronic liver disease, pleural effusion
Pleural fluid culture/thoracentesis	Significant pleural effusion
Endotracheal aspirate/bronchoscopic washings	ICU admission
Fungal culture and TB testing	Cavitary infiltrate
Special media for legionella	Positive UAT for legionella

Abbreviations: TB, tuberculosis; UAT, urinary antigen testing.