​Pathology - Lobar Pneumonia

​Pathology - Lobar Pneumonia 
Pathophysiology 
This disorder develops when fluid and neutrophils swell alveolar gaps, causing the tissue to become "consolidated" into an area surrounded by debris and fluid. Inflammatory cytokines (and occasionally bacterial toxins) induce aberrant endothelial permeability in the pulmonary vasculature and fluid/neutrophil buildup in the alveoli, which leads to fluid accumulation. Chest pain, fever, and copious coughing are typical signs of bacterial infections, as is dyspnea. The vignette above suggests involvement of the neighboring pleural area because the patient is in pain and perspiring. When the pleura of the lungs becomes inflamed or accumulates fluid, it can cause "pleuritic chest pain," which is an extension of the illness.
Upon laboratory assessment, leukocytosis is frequently observed, with neutrophils predominating. A bacterial infection is most likely indicated by the vignette's clinical appearance, which shows lobar consolidation. In contrast, viral lung infections typically show up as less consolidated or more patchy infiltrates that are dispersed throughout the bilateral lung fields.