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Role of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in children hospitalized for community‐acquired pneumonia in Vienna, Austria
Author(s) -
Kurz Herbert,
Göpfrich Hubert,
Wabnegger Leila,
Apfalter Petra
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.21059
Subject(s) - mycoplasma pneumoniae , medicine , chlamydophila pneumoniae , community acquired pneumonia , pneumonia , epidemiology , clarithromycin , pediatrics , chlamydia , immunology , chlamydiaceae , helicobacter pylori
Background No recent Austrian data are available on the epidemiology and morbidity of Chlamydophila pneumoniae ( C. pneumoniae ) as causative agent in youths and children hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). These data would serve as a rationale for empiric antimicrobial therapy. Methods During winter months 2006/7 112 immunocompetent youths and children between 2 months and 18 years hospitalized consecutively with CAP were prospectively enrolled. Microbiological detection of conventional bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumoniae as well as respiratory viruses was performed, and clinical signs as well as indices of inflammation were documented. Diagnosis of C. pneumoniae was performed by means of species‐specific real‐time PCR as well as cell culture from respiratory secretions. Results PCR for C. pneumoniae was performed in 60 patients. In 4 cases (6.7%) C. pneumoniae was found as causative agent. In 1 case C. pneumoniae could be confirmed by cell‐culture. All children with C. pneumonia were ≥5 years of age. All but 1 child received clarithromycin together with cefuroxime. The number of days with fever >38,5°C was between 1 and 7, the number of days in hospital was between 4 and 7, all children recovered completely. Conclusion C. pneumoniae was found in 6.7% of children and youths hospitalized with CAP in a community hospital during the winter months 2006/07. Children and youths with lower respiratory infections should further be tested for C. pneumoniae to elucidate the actual epidemiological situation and to guide empiric antimicrobiotic therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:873–876. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.