Pneumonia remains an important health concern in the western world, with highly variable mortality rates [1]. Initial risk stratification to objectify prognosis is the first step in managing patients with pneumonia, and scores like the CRB-65 or qSOFA have repeatedly been validated for initial screening of immunocompetent at risk- patients with pneumonia and sepsis [2–5]. Immunosuppression (IS) is a relevant risk factor for developing pneumonia [6] and for poor prognosis in pneumonia [7]. A recent worldwide study showed a high 18% prevalence of IS in patients with pneumonia presenting from the community [8].
