title: Pneumonia research to reduce childhood mortality in the developing world.
abstract: Pneumonia is an illness, usually caused by infection, in which the lungs become inflamed and congested, reducing oxygen exchange and leading to cough and breathlessness. It affects individuals of all ages but occurs most frequently in children and the elderly. Among children, pneumonia is the most common cause of death worldwide. Historically, in developed countries, deaths from pneumonia have been reduced by improvements in living conditions, air quality, and nutrition. In the developing world today, many deaths from pneumonia are also preventable by immunization or access to simple, effective treatments. However, as we highlight here, there are critical gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of pneumonia that, if filled, could accelerate the control of pneumonia and reduce early childhood mortality.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust/KEMRI Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya. ascott@ikikifi.net
authors.forename: J Anthony G
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: W Abdullah
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: J S Malik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holtzman
authors.forename: E Kim
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mulholland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines