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: Areas where the normally air-filled alveoli are "consolidated" or packed with inflammatory cells, fibrin, and debris.

The condition usually arises when the lung's defense mechanisms, such as the cough reflex or the mucociliary escalator, are compromised. It is frequently a secondary infection following a viral illness (like the flu) or occurs in individuals with weakened immune systems. The most common bacterial culprits include: Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Pseudomonas aeruginosa (often seen in hospital settings) Clinical Implications m118-s34-47.jpg

If you would like more detail on a specific part of the pathology, such as the or the specific staining techniques used for these slides, let me know! : Areas where the normally air-filled alveoli are