Does empirical therapy with a fluoroquinolone or the combination of a β-lactam plus a macrolide result in better outcomes for patients admitted to the general ward?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide, in particular among older patients and those with significant comorbid conditions. Current guidelines recommend therapy with a fluoroquinolone or a β-lactam plus a macrolide for the treatment of hospitalized adults with CAP who do not require admission to an intensive care unit. This article provides a brief summary and overview of the existing literature on this topic categorized by the main results; the potential implications for future clinical practice and research are discussed.