Microbiological aspects of bacterial lower respiratory tract illness in children: typical pathogens

Whilst childhood immunization programmes have had an impact on the spectrum of pneumonic diseases seen in children, bacteria remain an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), particularly in younger and debilitated children. Because of the difficulty in obtaining lower respiratory tract specimens in children, specific diagnosis has often been difficult, although advances in diagnostic techniques have provided a much greater range of tools for the clinician. The challenge is to understand the application and limitation of these tests in the diagnosis of LRTI. This review examines the microbiological and diagnostic issues around Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria meningitidis and enteric Gram negative pathogens.