title: Seroetiology of acute lower respiratory infections among hospitalized children in Beijing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known of the etiology of childhood acute lower respiratory infections in China, where the use of antimicrobials is indiscriminate. Trials to change such a policy require etiologic data, especially on the bacteria most relevant to these common diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive infants and children from 3 months to 14 years of age with symptoms and signs compatible with acute lower respiratory infections were studied prospectively in the largest pediatric hospital in Beijing from February to May, 1997. Blood culture, thorax radiography and paired sera for 20 microbiologic assays were taken, and the course of illness was monitored uniformly. Disease severity was graded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 24 cases there was evidence only of bacterial etiology, and in 5 solely viral agents were found; 3 children probably had a mixed bacterial-viral infection. Surprisingly no pneumococcal infection was detected, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 21), Haemophilus influenzae type b (n = 8) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (n = 7) being the dominant bacteria. All children recovered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine use of antimicrobials for these patients seems unjustified. Serologic evidence for the H. influenzae type b etiology is encouraging in terms of vaccination, but confirmatory studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Children's Hospital, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vuori-Holopainen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leboulleux
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leinonen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hedman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Linnavuori
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peltola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral