Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of pathogens positive in hospitalized children with segmental/lobar pattern
Yanxia Wang1, Liji Ma1, Ying Li1
1Pediatrics, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54, Gongqingtuanxi Street, Zibo City, 255036, Shandong Province, China.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the leading cause of segmental/lobar pneumonia in children, with increasing prevalence over time and in older children. It is linked to extrapulmonary symptoms, unlike Streptococcus pneumoniae which is associated with abnormal WBCs and CRPs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Segmental/lobar pattern pneumonia (S/L-PP) incidence in children is rising.
- Changes in antibiotic use and vaccination may alter causative pathogens.
- Understanding current pathogens and clinical associations in pediatric S/L-PP is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify pathogens in hospitalized children diagnosed with S/L-PP.
- To analyze the association between identified pathogens and clinical characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 593 children (<14 years) with S/L-PP from 2014-2018.
- Pathogen detection via microbial cultivation, indirect immunofluorescence, Elisa, and real-time PCR.
- Evaluation of epidemiological and clinical data.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) was the most frequent pathogen (72.34%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) (8.77%).
- M. pneumoniae prevalence increased significantly over the study period and with patient age.
- M. pneumoniae correlated with extrapulmonary manifestations; S. pneumoniae correlated with abnormal WBCs and CRPs.
Conclusions:
- M. pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen in pediatric S/L-PP.
- Increasing trends of M. pneumoniae were observed with time and increasing age.
- Distinct clinical associations were found for M. pneumoniae (extrapulmonary) and S. pneumoniae (inflammatory markers).
Background:
The occurrence of segmental/lobar pattern pneumonia (S/L-PP) in children has recently increased. The pathogens of the disease may change for the misuse of antibiotics and the application of vaccines. Therefore, pathogens positive in hospitalized children with S/L-PP and their association with clinical characteristics may have changed. The aim of this study was to analyze the pathogens positive in hospitalized children with S/L-PP and their association with clinical characteristics.
Method:
The current study analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pathogens positive in children with S/L-PP under 14 years old at a single hospital between 1st Jan 2014 and 31st Dec 2018 retrospectively. The pathogens were detected by microbial cultivation, indirect immunofluorescence of the kit (PNEUMOSLIDE IgM), Elisa, and/or real-time PCR in the samples of the patients.
Results:
A total of 593 children with S/L-PP received treatment at a single hospital during the study period by inclusion criteria. Four hundred fifty-one patients were single positive for one pathogen and 83 patients were positive for at least 2 pathogens. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) (72.34%) was the most commonly detected pathogen, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) (8.77%). The prevalence of M.pneumoniae in children with S/L-PP increased with time (p < 0.05). The positive rate of M.pneumoniae increased with ages of patients (p < 0.05). M.pneumoniae was statistically associated with the extrapulmonary manifestations while S.pneumoniae was statistically associated with abnormal white blood cells (WBCs) and C reactive proteins (CRPs) (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
M.pneumoniae was the most positive pathogen in children with S/L-PP. The positive rate of M.pneumoniae in children with S/L-PP increased with time and the ages of children. M.pneumoniae was associated with extrapulmonary manifestations while S.pneumoniae was associated with abnormal WBCs and CRPs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
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
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
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....
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...