Bacterial infections associated with pneumonia and tuberculosis
Chest injuries (blunt or penetrating)
Familial Mediterranean fever, an inherited condition that often causes fever and swelling in the abdomen or the lungs
Fungal or parasitic infections
Heart surgery, especially coronary-artery bypass grafting
Cardiac problems (ischemia, pericarditis)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Lung cancer and lymphoma
Other lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and mesothelioma
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary embolisms, which are blood clots that enter the lungsWhen the space between the pleurae starts to fill with fluid, as in pleural effusion, the chest pain can be eased but a shortness of breath can result, since the lungs need room to expand during breathing. Some cases of pleuritic chest pain are idiopathic, which means that the exact cause cannot be determined. Diagnosis
A diagnosis of pleurisy or another pleural condition is based on a medical history, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests. The goals are to rule out other sources of the symptoms and to find the cause of the pleurisy so that the underlying disorder can be treated. Physical examination
A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the breathing. This method detects any unusual sounds in the lungs. A person with pleurisy may have inflamed layers of the pleurae that make a rough, scratchy sound as they rub against each other during breathing. This is called pleural friction rub. Diagnostic tests
Depending on the results of the physical examination, diagnostic tests are sometimes performed. Chest x-ray
A chest X-ray takes a picture of the heart and lungs. It may show air or fluid in the pleural space.
References
External links

Tim Kenny; Colin Tidy (2002–2013). "Pleurisy and Pleuritic Pain". patient.info. Retrieved 30 June 2013. The Lung Association of Canada explanation of Pleurisy (also available in French)
Pleurisy by the American Academy of Family Physicians