PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights recent developments in the diagnosis, etiology, therapy, and prevention of community-acquired pneumonia in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Sensitive new diagnostic methods have increased the detection rate of the causative agent up to 94%. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen in all ages. Polymerase chain reaction is a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which have gained greater importance in recent years. During the period covered by this review, two new agents causing pneumonia were extensively studied. Human metapneumonovirus detected in young children is a leading cause of respiratory disease during the first years of life. A novel coronavirus was identified as the causative agent of severe respiratory syndrome, a new respiratory illness that affects adults and children. One multicenter trial concluded that nonsevere pneumonia can be treated with a short course of oral amoxicillin and a multicenter international study showed that children with severe pneumonia have similar outcomes whether treated with oral amoxicillin or parenteral penicillin, but more data are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such regimens. SUMMARY: The continued evolution of bacterial resistance highlights the need for appropriate use of antibacterials. Improved diagnostic techniques will aid the treatment of children with community-acquired pneumonia. Aggressive vaccination with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and other available vaccines as well as the development of new vaccines will aid the prevention of respiratory disease in children.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights recent developments in the diagnosis, etiology, therapy, and prevention of community-acquired pneumonia in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Sensitive new diagnostic methods have increased the detection rate of the causative agent up to 94%. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen in all ages. Polymerase chain reaction is a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which have gained greater importance in recent years. During the period covered by this review, two new agents causing pneumonia were extensively studied. Human metapneumonovirus detected in young children is a leading cause of respiratory disease during the first years of life. A novel coronavirus was identified as the causative agent of severe respiratory syndrome, a new respiratory illness that affects adults and children. One multicenter trial concluded that nonsevere pneumonia can be treated with a short course of oral amoxicillin and a multicenter international study showed that children with severe pneumonia have similar outcomes whether treated with oral amoxicillin or parenteral penicillin, but more data are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such regimens. SUMMARY: The continued evolution of bacterial resistance highlights the need for appropriate use of antibacterials. Improved diagnostic techniques will aid the treatment of children with community-acquired pneumonia. Aggressive vaccination with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and other available vaccines as well as the development of new vaccines will aid the prevention of respiratory disease in children.
Authors: Isabela R Marques; Izabela P Calvi; Sara A Cruz; Luana M F Sanchez; Isis F Baroni; Christi Oommen; Eduardo M H Padrao; Paula C Mari Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2022-09-06 Impact factor: 3.860
Authors: Nusrat Homaira; Stephen P Luby; William A Petri; Raija Vainionpaa; Mustafizur Rahman; Kamal Hossain; Cynthia B Snider; Mahmudur Rahman; A S M Alamgir; Farzina Zesmin; Masud Alam; Emily S Gurley; Rashid Uz Zaman; Tasnim Azim; Dean D Erdman; Alicia M Fry; Joseph Bresee; Marc-Alain Widdowson; Rashidul Haque; Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-02-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Sun Young You; Hye Jeong Jwa; Eun Ae Yang; Hong Ryang Kil; Jae Ho Lee Journal: Allergy Asthma Immunol Res Date: 2013-11-15 Impact factor: 5.764