Surinder Kumar1, Indu Bala Garg2, Gulshan Rai Sethi3. 1. Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, 110002, India. kumarsurinderdr@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, 110002, India. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) employing serological tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. METHODS: In this prospective study, 200 children aged 6 mo to 12 y hospitalized with acute LRTIs were investigated for M. pneumoniae. Serum samples were collected for serological analysis of M. pneumoniae. Throat swab samples were obtained on admission to amplify 277-base pair region of 16S rDNA gene of M. pneumoniae by PCR. RESULTS: In the present study, 40(26.1%) children <5 y and 28(59.5%) children ≥5 y age group were positive for M. pneumoniae infection and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). M. pneumoniae was positive in 32(41%) female and 36(29.5%) male children though this difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.12). The clinical profile across M. pneumoniae positive and negative cases were comparable except for presence of chest pain which was statistically significant (P = 0.023). None of the radiological findings was statistically associated with incidence of M. pneumoniae infection. Serological evidence of acute M. pneumoniae infection was observed in 64(32%) patients with sensitivity 66.6% and specificity 70.1% while PCR positivity in 12(6%) patients with sensitivity 12.5% and specificity 97%. Together, serology and PCR detected M.pneumoniae infection in 68(34%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study underlines the role of M. pneumoniae in children with community- acquired LRTIs and more particularly in ≥5 y of age.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) employing serological tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. METHODS: In this prospective study, 200 children aged 6 mo to 12 y hospitalized with acute LRTIs were investigated for M. pneumoniae. Serum samples were collected for serological analysis of M. pneumoniae. Throat swab samples were obtained on admission to amplify 277-base pair region of 16S rDNA gene of M. pneumoniae by PCR. RESULTS: In the present study, 40(26.1%) children <5 y and 28(59.5%) children ≥5 y age group were positive for M. pneumoniae infection and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). M. pneumoniae was positive in 32(41%) female and 36(29.5%) male children though this difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.12). The clinical profile across M. pneumoniae positive and negative cases were comparable except for presence of chest pain which was statistically significant (P = 0.023). None of the radiological findings was statistically associated with incidence of M. pneumoniae infection. Serological evidence of acute M. pneumoniae infection was observed in 64(32%) patients with sensitivity 66.6% and specificity 70.1% while PCR positivity in 12(6%) patients with sensitivity 12.5% and specificity 97%. Together, serology and PCR detected M.pneumoniae infection in 68(34%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study underlines the role of M. pneumoniae in children with community- acquired LRTIs and more particularly in ≥5 y of age.
Authors: Annacarla Defilippi; Michela Silvestri; Angela Tacchella; Raffaella Giacchino; Giovanni Melioli; Eddi Di Marco; Carmela Cirillo; Pasquale Di Pietro; Giovanni A Rossi Journal: Respir Med Date: 2008-08-13 Impact factor: 3.415
Authors: J W Dorigo-Zetsma; S A Zaat; P M Wertheim-van Dillen; L Spanjaard; J Rijntjes; G van Waveren; J S Jensen; A F Angulo; J Dankert Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1999-01 Impact factor: 5.948