Currant jelly sputum is classically associated with infection by which organism?

Currant jelly sputum is classically associated with infection by which organism?

• A. Klebsiella
• B. Mycoplasma
• C. RSV
• D. Cytomegalovirus

Answer: (A)

Currant jelly sputum points to a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. The bacteria have a thick, mucoid capsule that makes the secretions extremely viscous and often reddish due to blood, giving the sputum its distinctive currant jelly appearance. This organism commonly causes lobar pneumonia in people with risk factors such as alcohol use, diabetes, or aspiration, where large amounts of inflammatory exudate mix with mucus. Mycoplasma pneumoniae typically produces a more during- course, atypical pneumonia with a dry or scant sputum rather than a thick, colored sputum. RSV causes viral bronchiolitis in children, not the currant jelly sputum pattern. Cytomegalovirus pneumonia occurs primarily in immunocompromised hosts and doesn’t characteristically produce this type of sputum either.

Currant jelly sputum points to a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. The bacteria have a thick, mucoid capsule that makes the secretions extremely viscous and often reddish due to blood, giving the sputum its distinctive currant jelly appearance. This organism commonly causes lobar pneumonia in people with risk factors such as alcohol use, diabetes, or aspiration, where large amounts of inflammatory exudate mix with mucus.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae typically produces a more during- course, atypical pneumonia with a dry or scant sputum rather than a thick, colored sputum. RSV causes viral bronchiolitis in children, not the currant jelly sputum pattern. Cytomegalovirus pneumonia occurs primarily in immunocompromised hosts and doesn’t characteristically produce this type of sputum either.