Pneumonia in childhood: Etiology and response to antimicrobial therapy

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Abstract
A prospective eight-month study was carried out in 50 children admitted to hospital for radiologically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia. A potential causative agent of infection was identified in 44 (88 %) cases. Using virus isolation, virus antigen detection and enzyme immunoassay serology, respiratory virus infection was diagnosed in 30 (60 %) patients. Antibody assays for seven bacteria and antigen detection from serum and urine forStreptococcus pneumoniae produced evidence of bacterial infection in 31 (62 %) cases.Streptococcus pneumoniae (38 %), respiratory syncytial virus (30 %) andMycoplasma pneumoniae (20 %) were the most common causative agents. A mixed infection was diagnosed in 25 (50 %) episodes. Nine patients failed to respond to antibiotics within 24 h after onset of treatment. Three of them had a pure viral infection, three a mixed viral-bacterial infection, two aMycoplasma pneumoniae infection mixed with other bacteria and one a pureMycoplasma pneumoniae infection. All threeMycoplasma pneumoniae infections were initially treated with penicillin.