Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and influenza in children with respiratory infections in Alexandria, Egypt

Authors

  • Tiziana Grassi National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy
  • Fabiola Mancini National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy
  • Alessandra Ciervo National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy
  • Maria Fenicia Vescio National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy
  • Abeer Ghazal Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Housam Ashour Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Ezzeldin Saleh Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Mahmoud El Zalabani Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Isabella Donatelli National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy
  • Gamal El Sawaf Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Giovanni Rezza National Public Health Institute, Rome, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4458

Keywords:

Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza viruses, acute respiratory infections, real-time PCR, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. Information about etiological agents of ARI in developing countries is still limited.

Methodology: Throat swabs collected from children hospitalized with ARI between December 2009 and May 2010 were investigated for Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and influenza viruses by molecular analyses.

Results: This study conducted in Alexandria, Egypt, was designed to determine the prevalence of several microorganisms in 156 children hospitalized with ARI. Overall, samples from 76 individuals (49%) were found to be positive for at least one pathogen, and 10 of them were positive for two agents. C. pneumoniae was the most commonly detected agent, followed by M. pneumonia and H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. Positivity for C. pneumoniae was associated with colder months and mild disease of the upper respiratory tract such as laryngitis.

Conclusions: Further studies are needed to identify other possible agents of ARI (e.g., RSV, adenoviruses, other bacterial infections) in this population and to better understand the causal role of atypical bacteria detected in respiratory samples.

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Published

2014-03-13

How to Cite

1.
Grassi T, Mancini F, Ciervo A, Vescio MF, Ghazal A, Ashour H, Saleh E, El Zalabani M, Donatelli I, El Sawaf G, Rezza G (2014) Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and influenza in children with respiratory infections in Alexandria, Egypt. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:379–383. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4458

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 03: March 2014

Section

Brief Original Articles

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