Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
11:32
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Complicated parapneumonic effusion in Belgian children: increased occurrence before routine pneumococcal vaccine
Tine Van Ackere1, Marijke Proesmans, Francois Vermeulen
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|May 8, 2008
Summary
Complicated parapneumonic effusions in children increased significantly in Belgium before routine pneumococcal vaccination. This trend, observed later than in the UK and US, indicated more severe disease in recent cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPPE) and empyema in children are increasing in the UK and USA.
- Data from mainland Europe regarding CPPE incidence in pediatric populations are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of CPPE and empyema in children at the University Hospital of Leuven from 1993 to 2005.
- To analyze trends and clinical characteristics of pediatric CPPE during a period preceding pneumococcal conjugate vaccination implementation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients admitted with CPPE or empyema between 1993 and 2005.
- Calculation of incidence rates per 100,000 hospital admissions.
- Comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters between early and late cohorts.
Main Results:
- Sixty-eight cases of pediatric CPPE/empyema were identified.
- Incidence increased from 20-55 to 120-130 per 100,000 admissions by 2005.
- The late cohort (from 2003) showed significantly higher pleural LDH, higher pleural white blood cell counts, lower pleural glucose, and longer hospitalization, suggesting more severe disease.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of complicated parapneumonic effusion in Belgian children rose significantly before the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.
- This increase, particularly pronounced from 2003 onwards, occurred later than reported in the UK and US but was of similar magnitude.
- Clinical indicators suggest a trend towards more severe disease in the later cohort of patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:17Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...