Inclusion Criteria:

• Hospitalized non-ICU patients (age, >= 18 years)
• Clinical signs and symptoms of CAP, with PSI score IV or V
• Radiologically confirmed evidence of a new and/or progressive infiltrate(s)
• Requirement for initial parenteral therapy

• At least 2 of the following conditions:

  • Productive or non productive cough with or without purulent or mucosus or mucopurulent sputum
  • Dyspnea and/or tachypnea (respiratory rate of > 20 breaths/min)
  • Rigors and/or chills
  • Pleuritic chest pain
  • Auscultatory findings of rales and/or crackles on pulmonary examination and/or evidence of pulmonary consolidation
  • Fever (an oral temperature of >= 38 °C, a rectal temperature of >= 39 °C, or a tympanic temperature of >= 38.5 °C) or hypothermia (rectal or core temperature of < 35 °C), and a WBC count of >= 10,000 cells/mm3 or >= 15% immature neutrophils bands; regardless of peripheral WBC count) or leukopenia (total WBC count of < 4500 cells/mm3)
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• PSI Class I-III and V with need for ICU admission
• Hospitalization for > 48 hours before developing pneumonia, or discharge from hospital < 30 days prior. Note: patients currently residing in residential long-term facilities can be enrolled in the study