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[Microbiological studies in children in nurseries (Study A)]
I Passauer1, C Beckmann, P Wiesner
1Klinik für Kinderheilkunde, Medizinischen Akademie Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
Insights
Bacterial infections, particularly from the catarrhal group and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are common in young children with acute respiratory disease. These pathogens were frequently detected during illness and decreased during recovery.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Investigated bacterial, viral, and fungal flora in young children (13-36 months) attending daycare.
- Focused on microbial presence during healthy, acute respiratory illness, and convalescence phases.
- Study conducted from 1986 to 1988 involving 76 children across 8 daycare centers.
Purpose:
- To identify prevalent bacteria, viruses, and fungi in children experiencing acute respiratory disease.
- To track changes in microbial detection rates across different illness stages.
- To compare microbiological findings with virological and mycological results.
Summary:
- 253 bacterial isolations identified 17 different types, with catarrhal group bacteria (30.8%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (28.4%) predominating.
- Bacterial detection peaked during acute illness (nearly 50%) and decreased significantly during convalescence (21-26%).
- Viral detection rates (14 isolations) and serological results (30 proofs) did not correlate well with clinical disease presentation.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant role of specific bacterial pathogens in pediatric acute respiratory disease.
- Demonstrates the dynamic changes in bacterial colonization during the course of respiratory infections.
- Suggests limitations in using viral and fungal detection alone to assess the disease status in this age group.
Abstract:
From 1986 to 1988 76 children, aged from 13 to 36 months, being in 8 créches of a large town were tested microbiologically in the phases: healthy (0), initial phase of acute respiratory disease (A), 2nd and 4th week of convalescence (R2, R4). It was possible to proof bacteria 253 times. 17 various kinds of bacteria were found. Bacteria of catarrhal group (30.8%) and streptococcus pneumoniae (28.4%) dominated among other bacteria. In phase 0 they were isolated in 24% of the children, in phase A in nearly 50%, in phase R2 and R4 in 21 and 14%, respectively in 26 and 25%. Most kinds of bacteria followed this trend. This was not the case with the virological and mycological results. 14 isolations of viruses with 10 various kinds and 30 viro-serological proofs of 8 various kinds did not reflect the actual situation with only 2 quadruple increases of titre during the disease. The detection rate of Candida albicans (24% in healthy) is situated in value expected. Conclusions are drawn.