Prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in severe community-acquired pneumonia among hospitalized children in Iraq

Abstract

Pneumonia is the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are the two most common atypical pathogens. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of mycoplasma and chlamydia pneumonia in children hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Children 1 month - 15 years old with a diagnosis of severe pneumonia (WHO criteria) were recruited between November 2005 and March 2006. Serologic studies were performed for anti-M. pneumoniae and anti-C. pneumoniae IgM antibodies on admission using ELISA technique. Of 108 patients, 20 (18.5%) were seropositive for Mycoplasma, while 9 (8.3%) were seropositive for chlamydia, 2 (1.8%) were positive for a mixed infection and 106 (98.2%) were negative. The subjects' mean age was 4.1 months. M. pneumoniae infection was significantly increased with increasing of age, and highest percentage of infection (30.7%) was at age group 5-15 years (p=0.007). C. pneumoniae infection was increased with increasing the age, and highest percentage of infection was (15.3%) at age group 5-10 years (p= 0.157). Our study suggests that mycoplasma and Chlamydia infections were commonly found among children hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Coverage with an appropriate antibiotic should be considered to hasten recovery.