Chlamydia sp. in hospitalised children with community acquired pneumonia

Indian Pediatr. 2007 Mar;44(3):216-8.

Abstract

Our aim was to document the prevalence of chlamydial infection in children less than five years of age with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Seventy three children, 1 month to 5 years of age, hospitalized with CAP were enrolled over a period of one year. Microimmunofluorescence (MIF) was done to detect IgM antibodies against Chlamydia sp. in sera of all patients; PCR was performed to detect C. pneumoniae DNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates. The prevalence of Chlamydia species infection in CAP in children < 5 years of age was 5.5% (4/73). Two cases were positive for C. trachomatis antibodies; one case was positive for C. pneumoniae antibodies and one case was positive for C. pneumoniae DNA. Chlamydia sp. have an important role in CAP in children < 5 years and for early diagnosis of infection, use of more than one method i.e. PCR and serology both is advisable.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Chlamydia / isolation & purification
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology*
  • Community-Acquired Infections
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / epidemiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence