The role of viruses and atypical organisms in the pathogenesis of adult pneumonia in Papua New Guinea.

The role of viruses and atypical organisms in pneumonia is well known in western populations, yet very little documentation is available about their role in pneumonia in developing countries. In a study of 175 adults with community-acquired pneumonia in Papua New Guinea, serological methods were used to assess this issue. Five patients had high influenza A titres suggestive of recent infection. Adenovirus titres rose significantly in one patient with Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia, whilst no evidence of past or recent infection was found in the remainder of patients when tested for all pathogens. Bacterial cultures revealed the continued predominance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of pneumonia in this population. We conclude that viruses and atypical organisms (including Mycoplasma and Legionella) play a very limited role in this setting.