Background: Very few recent Polish data are available on the epidemiology of Chlamydophil pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) as causative agent among paediatric patients, hospitalized with respiratory tract disorders. Extending these data would serve as rationale for empirical antimicrobial therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of C. pneumoniae infections in younger children hospitalized with prolonged cough and/or prolonged pneumonia.
Material and methods: 110 children, aged 0.3-7.0 yrs., hospitalized from January 1st to March 3 1st 2009 for the above reasons were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of C. pneumoniae was based on ELISA IgM antibodies positive test. Patients with ambiguous IgM titre were excluded from further study (n=12).
Results: Of 98 finally investigated children, C. pneumoniae infection was found in 28 patients (28.5%) with the highest frequency in February 2009 (15 cases). It was diagnosed more frequentlyin toddlers (over 1.73 yrs. of age) than in infants and youngest children (p=0,014; OR=4,10 95%C1=1,4-12,0). In patients with active C pneumoniae infection WBC were significantly lower (p=0,001), but within normal range (8647/mm3, +/- SD: 3247/mm3). Other factors such as sex, clinical symptoms and some chosen laboratory markers did not differ significantly between subgroups of sero-positive/sero-negative patients.
Conclusions: Performed analysis suggests a significant role of C. pneumoniae etiology in younger children with prolonged respiratory tract symptoms and can be a useful tool in empirical antibacterial treatment. Further studies for a longer period, larger groups of patients and additional confirmation of sero-positive cases are needed.