Etiology of community acquired pneumonia among children in India with special reference to atypical pathogens

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to identify the etiology of community acquired pneumonia in children with special reference to atypical bacteria and viruses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 pneumonia children were enrolled in the study. Sixty-seven did not have an etiological diagnosis by conventional culture. These children were subjected to immunofluorescence assay by Pneumoslide IgM. RESULTS: Ninety-four children were evaluated for etiology by conventional culture. Twenty-seven of them had the bacteriological diagnosis. Rest 67 were further analyzed for causative organism using Pneumoslide immunofluorescence test. Among this group, 38 (56.7%) had etiological diagnosis. Atypical bacteria were identified in 23 cases, most common being Mycoplasma pneumoniae and which was more common between 5 months and 2 years of age. Viruses were identified in 19 cases, and the most common virus was Respiratory syncytial virus. Mixed pathogens were identified in five children., M. pneumoniae was the common offending agent. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical bacteria and viruses play an important role as etiological agents in pneumonia in children. Pneumoslide IgM is useful for rapid detection of atypical bacteria and viruses.