Impact of Statins on Cytokine Expression in Pneumonia

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age, * Chart documentation by a clinician of an initial working diagnosis of pneumonia within 24 hours of admission, * Chest x-ray or other imaging evidence consistent with pneumonia within 48 hours of hospitalization, and * One of the following severity criteria: pneumonia severity index class III or higher, at least 2/5 components of the CURB-65, or ICU level care within 24 hours of admission. * Having one Food and Drug Agency approved indication for statin therapy Exclusion Criteria: * Prior Treatment with one or more doses of a statin within 30-days prior to admission or during the current hospitalization. * Hospitalization \> 24 hours at time of the diagnosis of pneumonia. * Hospitalization \> 48 hours at time of study enrollment. * Residence in a skilled nursing facility. * Previously diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection with a current CD4 count \< 200 cells/mm. * Immunosuppression * Patient or family decision to limit medical care ("comfort measures only"). * Known allergy to statin therapy. * Active or planned pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Inability to take oral medications at the time of study enrollment. * Pre-existing liver disease or AST/ALT \> 10% the upper limit of normal. * Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK or CK) \> 50% above the upper limit of normal. * Partial ileal bypass. * Concurrent treatment with potential interacting drugs: ketoconazole, itraconazole, amiodarone, clarithromycin, erythromycin, cyclosporine, danazol, niacin, protease inhibitors, telithromycin, verapamil, gemfiborzil, ezetimibe (Zetia), nefazodone. * Transfer from an outside hospital.