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Streptococcus pneumoniae as a uropathogen in children with urinary tract abnormalities
Rihwa Choi1, Youngeun Ma, Kyung Sun Park
1From the Departments of *Laboratory Medicine and Genetics and †Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|August 21, 2013
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause urinary tract infections, particularly in children with existing urinary tract abnormalities. This finding highlights the bacterium as a significant uropathogen in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Urology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
- The etiology of UTIs is typically bacterial, with common uropathogens identified.
- The role of Streptococcus pneumoniae in UTIs, especially in children with anatomical abnormalities, requires further elucidation.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases are presented involving urinary tract abnormalities and significant bacteriuria due to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- A review of existing literature on Streptococcus pneumoniae as a cause of UTIs was conducted.
Findings:
- The presence of large numbers of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the urine of children with urinary tract abnormalities is a notable observation.
- These findings support the classification of Streptococcus pneumoniae as a potential uropathogen.
Implications:
- This study suggests that Streptococcus pneumoniae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of UTIs in children, particularly those with underlying urinary tract abnormalities.
- Further research into the pathogenic mechanisms of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the urinary tract may be warranted.
- Clinical guidelines for UTI management in children may need to consider the role of this bacterium.
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