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Kingella kingae: an emerging pathogen in young children

Pablo Yagupsky1, Eric Porsch, Joseph W St Geme

  • 1Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel. yagupsky@bgu.ac.il

Pediatrics
|February 16, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Kingella kingae is a common cause of serious infections in young children, particularly those attending daycare. Early detection and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes, though endocarditis cases require special attention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Kingella kingae is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of pediatric osteoarticular infections, bacteremia, and endocarditis.
  • Improved diagnostic methods, including nucleic acid-amplification techniques, have enhanced the detection of K. kingae.
  • K. kingae colonizes the pharynx of young children and spreads through close contact, with daycare attendance being a risk factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the growing recognition of Kingella kingae as a pediatric pathogen.
  • To discuss the transmission dynamics and risk factors associated with K. kingae infections.
  • To outline the clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and treatment of K. kingae infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical data and microbiological findings related to Kingella kingae infections.
  • Discussion of virulence factors such as type IV pili and RTX toxin.
  • Analysis of age distribution and clinical manifestations in affected children.

Main Results:

  • Kingella kingae infections are most common in children aged 6 to 48 months, especially those attending daycare.
  • The bacterium possesses key virulence factors, including type IV pili and an RTX toxin.
  • Clinical presentation can be subtle, often with normal acute-phase reactants, necessitating a high index of suspicion.

Conclusions:

  • Kingella kingae is a prevalent cause of invasive infections in young children.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, typically with ß-lactams, lead to good outcomes, except in cases of endocarditis.

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