ABSTRACT
Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. Information about etiological agents of ARI in developing countries is still limited. Methodology: Throat swabs collected from children hospitalized with ARI between December 2009 and May 2010 were investigated for Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; and influenza viruses by molecular analyses. Results: This study conducted in Alexandria; Egypt; was designed to determine the prevalence of several microorganisms in 156 children hospitalized with ARI. Overall; samples from 76 individuals (49) were found to be positive for at least one pathogen; and 10 of them were positive for two agents. C. pneumoniae was the most commonly detected agent; followed by M. pneumonia and H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. Positivity for C. pneumoniae was associated with colder months and mild disease of the upper respiratory tract such as laryngitis. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to identify other possible agents of ARI (e.g.; RSV; adenoviruses; other bacterial infections) in this population and to better understand the causal role of atypical bacteria detected in respiratory samples
Subject(s)
Child , Chlamydophila pneumoniae , Humans , Influenza, Human , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Respiratory Tract InfectionsABSTRACT
The true incidence of Legionella pneumophilia; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Coxiella burnetti; the so called 'atypical' pathogens that cause adult community acquired pneumonia in Southern Africa is unknown. Although there are a lack of community-based studies; hospital-based studies suggest that the incidence may be up to 30 in patients admitted; but not requiring an intensive care unit. A lack of specific clinical features that differentiate atypical pathogens; plus the lack of reliable; simple diagnostics compound the uncertainty as to the contribution of atypical pathogens to the sum total of community acquired pneumonias in Southern Africa. Without reliable diagnostic tests; macrolide/azalide antibiotics are widely used for inpatients with pneumonia potentially fuelling the rise of antibiotic resistance to macrolides in other bacteria
Subject(s)
Adult , Chlamydophila pneumoniae , Coxiella burnetii/diagnosis , Inpatients , Legionella pneumophila , Mycoplasma , PneumoniaABSTRACT
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common clinical presentation in general practice. The prevalence and burden of disease caused by the atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila) are not well defined in South Africa. Each of the atypical bacteria is discussed individually with regard to clinical presentation; diagnosis and treatment. A unified approach to CAP and its management is discussed