title: Lung abscess in children in Harare, Zimbabwe.
abstract: Despite the rarity of lung abscess in children, 24 patients were treated at Harare Central Hospital during the 10 year period (1979 to 1988). The bacteriology and clinical findings of the 24 patients are presented. Bacteria were isolated from 18 patients. The most frequent isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, group A beta haemolytic streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Most of the abscesses followed measles, empyema or an episode of aspiration. The patients were managed with bronchoscopy, physiotherapy, and appropriate antibiotics, and had a mortality of 25%. Efforts at controlling measles as well as early and appropriate management of empyema are likely to reduce the number of lung abscesses in children.
authors: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare.
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Tumwine
mesh_terms: D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology