High prevalence of "Simkania Z," a novel Chlamydia-like bacterium, in infants with acute bronchiolitis

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S Kahane1, D Greenberg, M G Friedman

  • 1Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 21, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Simkania Z, a novel bacterium, was found in 25% of infants with bronchiolitis, suggesting its role in infant respiratory illness. Controls showed no evidence of Simkania Z infection.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Simkania Z is an obligate intracellular bacterium linked to adult pneumonia.
  • Its role in infant respiratory infections, specifically bronchiolitis, was previously unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of Simkania Z in infant bronchiolitis.
  • To compare the prevalence of Simkania Z in infants with bronchiolitis versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 239 infants with bronchiolitis and 78 controls.
  • Detection of Simkania Z using polymerase chain reaction and/or culture on nasopharyngeal wash specimens.
  • Serological testing for Simkania Z infection using immunoperoxidase assay for serum IgA response.

Main Results:

  • Simkania Z was detected in 25% of infants with bronchiolitis, compared to 0% in controls (P < .001).
  • A serum IgA response to Simkania Z was observed in 15% of infants with bronchiolitis versus 1.3% of controls (P < .001).
  • No significant differences in clinical findings were noted between groups based on etiologic agents (RSV, Simkania Z, or both).

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence and immune response to Simkania Z in infants with bronchiolitis suggest a significant etiologic role.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and clinical impact of Simkania Z in infant respiratory infections.

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