Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Slovenia

It is well known that Chlamydia pneumoniae is an important respiratory pathogen. In this study, the prevalence of specific antibodies to C. pneumoniae in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (943 adult females, 990 adult males and 185 children) was evaluated over a period of 7 y (1993-99). Two serum samples were obtained from all of the patients: 1 on admission and the other 3 weeks later. The specimens were tested for C. pneumoniae IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies by means of a microimmunofluorescence test. Acute infection with C. pneumoniae was determined in 9.4% of females and 13.1% of males. In children and adolescent patients, the microimmunofluorescence test showed recent infection in 8.6% of cases, with the highest prevalence occurring in the 11-15 y age group. The highest prevalence of C. pneumoniae pneumonia was found in 1995 and 1999: 15.4% and 13.6% respectively. The results obtained showed that C. pneumoniae is persistently present in the population of Slovenia.