What condition is characterized by inflammation of lung tissue?

Pneumonia is characterized by inflammation of the lung tissue, which can be caused by various infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In pneumonia, the alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs, become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. The inflammation impairs proper gas exchange and can significantly affect lung function.

Asthma, while a respiratory condition, primarily involves the inflammation and constriction of the airways, not the lung tissue itself. Sinusitis and rhinitis are conditions related to the nasal passages and sinuses, rather than the lungs. Sinusitis involves inflammation of the sinus cavities, and rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Neither affects lung tissue directly, distinguishing pneumonia as the correct answer in this context.