Etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in children based on antibody responses to bacterial and viral antigens |
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Authors: | B A Claesson B Trollfors I Brolin M Granstr?m J Henrichsen U Jodal P Juto I Kallings K Kanclerski T Lagerg?rd |
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Affiliation: | Department of Pediatrics, University of G?teborg, Sweden. |
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Abstract: | The serologic responses to bacterial and viral antigens were determined in paired serum samples from 336 children, ages 1 month to 15 years, with roentgenographically verified community-acquired pneumonia. Significant increases in antibodies against one agent were found in 40% and against two or more agents in 8% of the children. There were significant increases in antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus in 20%, viruses of the influenza-parainfluenza group in 6% and adenovirus in 3%. A serologic response to one or more of the pneumococcal antigens used (type-specific capsular polysaccharide, C-polysaccharide and pneumolysin) was demonstrated in 13% of the patients. Ten percent of the children had significant increases in antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Only three patients had increases against Haemophilus influenzae type b and one each against Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia. Respiratory syncytial virus was the predominant etiologic agent in young children whereas M. pneumoniae was more frequent in the older age group. |
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