title: Improving the aetiological diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in Papua New Guinea.
abstract: Bacterial pneumonia and meningitis are major causes of childhood mortality in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Laboratory techniques for detection of bacterial pathogens have improved in the last decade, particularly molecular techniques that can be applied to culture-negative samples. With adequate training and support, a number of these techniques are readily available to research staff in PNG. In this article we summarize previous studies on the aetiology of pneumonia and meningitis in PNG, describe current diagnostic approaches and discuss available diagnostic tools to enhance surveillance of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis.
authors.affiliation: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Lea-Ann S
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: Heidi C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Smith-Vaughan
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Greenhill
mesh_terms: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines