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Chlamydia pneumoniae in children attending day-care centers in Gävle, Sweden
E Normann1, J Gnarpe, H Gnarpe
1Department of Pediatrics, Gävle Central Hospital, Sweden. erik.normann@lsg.lg.se
Insights
Chlamydia pneumoniae is common in children attending daycare, with over 22% testing positive. Many young children carry the bacteria without developing antibodies, indicating subclinical infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in healthy children was previously unknown.
- Understanding its epidemiology in this demographic is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of Chlamydia pneumoniae in healthy children.
- To determine carriage rates and transmission patterns in daycare settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect C. pneumoniae in 453 children and 142 personnel across 9 day-care centers.
- Conducted serological testing on PCR-positive children and PCR on their family members.
Main Results:
- 22.7% of children and 23.2% of personnel tested positive for C. pneumoniae via PCR.
- Children under 3 years had lower carriage rates (14%) compared to older children (26%).
- Mothers showed higher carriage rates than fathers (RR 2.59).
Conclusions:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae is frequently detected in young children in daycare environments.
- Subclinical infections are common, particularly in the youngest children who often lack specific antibodies.
- The pathogen spreads easily among individuals in close proximity.
Background:
The epidemiology of Chlamydia pneumoniae in healthy children has not been established.
Methods:
This investigation used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study the epidemiology of C. pneumoniae in presumed healthy children. Four hundred fifty-three children and 142 personnel at 9 day-care centers were investigated for carriage of C. pneumoniae. Children found to be positive by PCR were also investigated with serology, and their family members were tested with PCR.
Results:
One hundred and three (22.7%) children had a positive PCR, as had 33 (23.2%) personnel. Fourteen percent of the children younger than 3 years had a positive PCR test compared with 26% of the older children (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between respiratory symptoms and carriage of C. pneumoniae. Mothers were more often positive in the PCR test as compared with fathers (relative risk, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 5.78). Antibodies to C. pneumoniae were found in 27 of 97 PCR-positive children; only 2 of whom were younger than 3 years.
Conclusion:
C. pneumoniae can be commonly found in young children attending day care. Most of the youngest children did not develop specific antibodies. Children may have subclinical infections with C. pneumoniae. The organism seems to be easily communicable among individuals living in close proximity.