Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in children with community-acquired pneumonia in Thailand.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by atypical pathogens in Thai children is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections in paediatric patients (aged 2-15 years) with CAP in three academic hospitals using standardised laboratory techniques. The characteristics of atypical pneumonia were also compared with other causes of CAP.

METHODS

Diagnosis of current infection was based on a four-fold or more rise in antibody serum samples or persistently high antibody titres together with the presence of mycoplasmal or chlamydial DNA in secretions.

RESULTS

Of 245 patients with CAP, 17.5% of cases were caused by atypical pathogens (M. pneumoniae 14.3%, C. pneumoniae 2.8% and co-infection 0.4%). We also found atypical pathogens in young children aged 2-5 years. The clinical and laboratory findings did not distinguish atypical pneumonia from other CAPs. Segmental or lobar consolidation on chest X-rays was more common in atypical pneumonia, while dyspnoea was more prominent in other CAPs.

CONCLUSION

Our data show a high prevalence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in Thai children with CAP, including in children aged 2-5 years.