Chlamydia pneumoniae in children with community-acquired pneumonia in Babylon-Iraq

ABSTRACT

To investigate the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in pediatric pneumonia in Babylon, Iraq. We conducted prospective study covering 83 children of both sexes and pneumonia in Babylon hospital for maternity and children. They were examined serologically by microimmuno-fluorescence antibody test [MIF] for IgM for Chlamydia pneumoniae. Demographic and clinical data were obtained. Four out of eighty three patients [4.8%] were positive for Chlamydia pneumoniae. The prevalence increased with the age to reach 12.5% for those >/= 5 years old. No significant statistic findings regarding distribution of cases for sex, residence, but significant for onset. Routine laboratory tests and radiological features are not specific enough to give accurate diagnosis of these infections, so empiric regimens might be used unless diagnosis was done by rapid diagnostic procedure. The results of this study suggest a remarkable role for Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in childhood community-acquired pneumonia and the knowledge of true prevalence of this organism discovered in the community may lead to modifications in the present empirical treatment of bacterial pneumonia. Thus, specialized rapid laboratory testing for this agent should be more widely used as IgM serology diagnostic tests to avoid complicated course and empirical regimen