On 2015 Feb 06, Ryan Radecki commented:

Post-publication commentary: "Prednisone … for Pneumonia?"

The utility of antibiotics for eradication of bacterial pathogens from the lower respiratory tract is a given. Use of steroids – also known for their immunosuppressive properties – not so much.

But, one can imagine clinical utility for steroids in acute infection. Not every function of the immune system results in desirable patient-oriented effects. Immunologic host responses include release of many inflammatory cytokines responsible for organ dysfunction, and steroids are already part of accepted therapy for several specific manifestations of pneumonia. Based on prior results in smaller trials, these authors suspected use of steroids might be of benefit – both in mortality and in time to symptom resolution.

http://www.emlitofnote.com/2015/01/prednisone-for-pneumonia.html

On 2015 Feb 06, Ryan Radecki commented:

Post-publication commentary: "Prednisone … for Pneumonia?"

The utility of antibiotics for eradication of bacterial pathogens from the lower respiratory tract is a given. Use of steroids – also known for their immunosuppressive properties – not so much.

But, one can imagine clinical utility for steroids in acute infection. Not every function of the immune system results in desirable patient-oriented effects. Immunologic host responses include release of many inflammatory cytokines responsible for organ dysfunction, and steroids are already part of accepted therapy for several specific manifestations of pneumonia. Based on prior results in smaller trials, these authors suspected use of steroids might be of benefit – both in mortality and in time to symptom resolution.

http://www.emlitofnote.com/2015/01/prednisone-for-pneumonia.html