Step 1: Understanding community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection of the lungs that occurs outside of a hospital setting. The causative organisms are often bacterial.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Streptococcus pneumoniae: This is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. It is a leading bacterial pathogen in CAP.
(2) Mycoplasma pneumoniae: While this bacterium is a common cause of CAP, it is less frequent than Streptococcus pneumoniae.
(3) Haemophilus influenzae: This can cause CAP, especially in people with chronic respiratory conditions, but it is not the most common.
(4) Staphylococcus aureus: This bacterium can cause severe pneumonia but is less common in community-acquired infections compared to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia is (1) Streptococcus pneumoniae.