Approach to the immunocompromised host with pulmonary symptoms

Respiratory disease is common in patients who are immunocompromised, which may be because of opportunistic infection, non-infectious processes related to the underlying disease, or therapy instituted for treatment. Approaching pulmonary symptoms in an immunocompromised host is a complex challenge because the symptoms represent a diverse spectrum of disease. In addition to the routine clinical evaluation, this article reviews four diagnostic procedures to characterize pulmonary disease. Current concepts regarding the prevention of infection are also addressed.