Prospective surveillance for atypical pathogens in children with community-acquired pneumonia in Japan.
A total of 141 children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were studied prospectively to determine the causative microorganisms. Microbial investigations included examination of postnasal swabs, cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serology. The atypical pathogens occurring most frequently were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (58 patients [41.1%]), Chlamydia pneumoniae (4 patients [2.8%]), and concurrent occurrence of both pathogens (1 patient [0.7%]). Patients aged under 4 years showed a relatively lower rate of atypical bacterial etiology compared with those aged 4 years or older. Major bacterial pathogens were detected in 89 patients (atypical pathogens were detected in 28 patients simultaneously), including Streptococcus pneumoniae in 34 patients, Haemophilus influenzae in 60, Moraxella catarrhalis in 48, and multiple pathogens in 42. In patients suspected of having atypical pneumonia, macrolides are recommended.
Bamba
Masahiro
M
Department of Pediatrics, Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, 1-16 Yonegahamadori, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa 238-8558, Japan. bamba-ped@ykh.gr.jp
Jozaki
Keiji
K
Sugaya
Norio
N
Tamai
Shinya
S
Ishihara
Jun
J
Kori
Takeo
T
Shiro
Hiroyuki
H
Takeuchi
Yoshinao
Y
Cho
Hideo
H
Nakao
Ayumi
A
Okano
Yuji
Y
Kimura
Kazuhiro
K
Komiyama
Osamu
O
Nonoyama
Masato
M
Kobayashi
Intetsu
I
Kato
Tatsuo
T
Sunakawa
Keisuke
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D018942:Macrolides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D018942:Macrolides