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[Pulmonary Chlamydia infections in children]
1Unité de pneumologie infantile, CHRU d'Amiens, Hôpital Nord, Amiens.
Insights
Chlamydial infections in children, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae, affect the respiratory tract. Diagnosis can be challenging, but non-culture methods and macrolide-based treatments like erythromycin are effective.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory infections in children
- Chlamydial infections
- Microbiology
Context:
- Chlamydial infections of the respiratory tract are increasingly recognized in children.
- Chlamydia trachomatis causes neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia.
- Chlamydia psittaci affects birds and occasionally humans.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae is linked to pulmonary and upper respiratory infections.
Purpose:
- To review the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial respiratory infections in children.
- To highlight the different species of Chlamydia involved and their clinical manifestations.
Summary:
- Chlamydial respiratory infections in children are caused by various species, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
- Diagnosis is often difficult, with non-culture methods like direct fluorescent antibody tests and enzyme immunoassays being valuable.
- Radiographic findings typically show a reticulated and/or nodular pattern on chest X-ray.
Impact:
- Improved understanding of chlamydial respiratory infections in pediatric populations.
- Guidance on diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies, primarily macrolide-based therapies like erythromycin.
Abstract:
In the last decades chlamydial infection of the respiratory tract have been described in children. Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common identifiable cause of neonatal infections conjunctivitis is also a recognised cause of pneumonia in newborns and is responsible for about one third of sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia psittaci is mainly pathogenic for birds and occasionally for human. More recently Chlamydia pneumoniae has been found associated with pulmonary abnormalities, nasopharynx and pulmonary oropharynx infections. Microbiologic diagnosis can be difficult. Several non culture methods are now available such as the direct fluorescent antibody test and enzyme immuno-assays. X ray chest show a reticulated and (or) nodular pattern. Treatment is mainly macrolide based with erythromycin.