Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Paul Drummond, Dr Janice Wheeler, Dr Angela Galloway, Professor Andrew Cant
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Background-There are few data on paediatric community acquired pneumonia (PCAP) in the UK. Aims-To investigate the aetiology and most useful diagnostic tests for PCAP in the north east of England. Methods-A prospective study of hospital admissions with a diagnosis of PCAP. Results-A pathogen was isolated from 60% (81/136) of cases, and considered a definite or probable cause of their pneumonia in 51% (70/136). Fifty (37%) had a virus implicated (65% respiratory syncytial virus) and 19 (14%) a bacterium (7% group A streptococcus, 4% Streptococcus pneumoniae), with one mixed infection. Of a subgroup (51 patients) in whom serum antipneumolysin antibody testing was performed, 6% had evidence of pneumococcal infection, and all were under 2 years old. The best diagnostic yield was from paired serology (34%, 31/87), followed by viral immunofluorescence (33%, 32/98). Conclusion-Viral infection accounted for 71% of the cases diagnosed. Group A streptococcus was the most common bacterial infective agent, with a low incidence of both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and S pneumoniae. Pneumococcal pneumonia was the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in children under 2 years but not in older children. Inflammatory markers and chest x ray features did not differentiate viral from bacterial pneumonia; serology and viral immunofluorescence were the most useful diagnostic tests.
Author(s): Drummond P, Clark J, Wheeler J, Galloway A, Freeman R, Cant A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Year: 2000
Volume: 83
Issue: 5
Pages: 408-412
ISSN (print): 0003-9888
ISSN (electronic): 1468-2044
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.83.5.408
DOI: 10.1136/adc.83.5.408
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
