Chlamydial pneumonia

This code signifies pneumonia caused by a Chlamydia species, typically Chlamydia pneumoniae in adults or Chlamydia trachomatis in neonates. It presents as an atypical pneumonia with symptoms such as cough, fever, and dyspnea, often with a more insidious onset than bacterial pneumonia.

Use this code when the medical record explicitly documents pneumonia due to chlamydial infection, confirmed by laboratory testing (e.g., PCR, serology) or strong clinical suspicion in the absence of other identified pathogens. This is particularly relevant in neonates with afebrile pneumonia or in adults with community-acquired atypical pneumonia where chlamydia is identified as the causative agent.

• Ensure documentation specifies "chlamydial" as the etiology of the pneumonia, not just "atypical pneumonia."
• Do not confuse with other atypical pneumonias (e.g., mycoplasmal, viral) unless chlamydia is specifically identified.
• Consider sequencing with codes for underlying conditions or complications, if applicable, following ICD-10-CM guidelines.