ABSTRACT
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA AND LUNG ABSCESS Aspiration pneumonia involves an inflammatory reaction in the lung parenchyma caused by entrance of foreign material. Following aspiration of chemicals, food, vomitus, or secretions, the initial reaction is chemical, with edema and cellular infiltrations, accompanied by acute respiratory distress. If mucous secretions containing oral flora are also aspirated, these microorganisms may initiate an infectious process that ranges from aspiration pneumonitis to lung abscess.
