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Community acquired pneumonia--a prospective UK study.
- Source :
- Archives of Disease in Childhood; Nov2000, Vol. 83 Issue 5, p408-412, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 2000
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>There are few data on paediatric community acquired pneumonia (PCAP) in the UK.<bold>Aims: </bold>To investigate the aetiology and most useful diagnostic tests for PCAP in the north east of England.<bold>Methods: </bold>A prospective study of hospital admissions with a diagnosis of PCAP.<bold>Results: </bold>A pathogen was isolated from 60% (81/136) of cases, and considered a definite or probable cause of their pneumonia in 51% (70/136). Fifty (37%) had a virus implicated (65% respiratory syncytial virus) and 19 (14%) a bacterium (7% group A streptococcus, 4% Streptococcus pneumoniae), with one mixed infection. Of a subgroup (51 patients) in whom serum antipneumolysin antibody testing was performed, 6% had evidence of pneumococcal infection, and all were under 2 years old. The best diagnostic yield was from paired serology (34%, 31/87), followed by viral immunofluorescence (33%, 32/98).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Viral infection accounted for 71% of the cases diagnosed. Group A streptococcus was the most common bacterial infective agent, with a low incidence of both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and S pneumoniae. Pneumococcal pneumonia was the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in children under 2 years but not in older children. Inflammatory markers and chest x ray features did not differentiate viral from bacterial pneumonia; serology and viral immunofluorescence were the most useful diagnostic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00039888
- Volume :
- 83
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 107005883