Clinical Characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis Respiratory Tract Infection in Young Infants.
- Author:
Seon Tae HWANG
1
;
Byung Wook EUN
;
Yong Han SUN
;
Jee Eun KIM
;
So Yeon SIM
;
Kang Ho CHO
;
Eell RYOO
;
Deok Young CHOI
;
Dong Woo SON
;
Hann TCHAH
;
In Sang JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea. pedsyh@gilhospital.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chlamydia trachomatis;
Infant;
Respiratory infections;
Diagnosis
- MeSH:
Auscultation;
Chlamydia;
Chlamydia trachomatis;
Eosinophilia;
Eosinophils;
Fever;
Humans;
Immunoenzyme Techniques;
Immunoglobulin M;
Incidence;
Infant;
Leukocytes;
Pneumonia;
Respiratory Sounds;
Respiratory System;
Respiratory Tract Infections;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- From:Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease
2010;20(2):122-129
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most prevalent etiology of sexually transmitted diseases and also a cause of respiratory infections in infants. The purposes of this study were to determine the epidemiology, presentation, and laboratory findings of C. trachomatis respiratory infection, and to investigate its severity and hospital courses. METHODS: Between February 2002 and January 2010, we enrolled infants younger than 6 months admitted to Gil Hospital with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. Clinical findings and demographic data were reviewed in all patients. Basic laboratory examinations included white blood cell and eosinophil count. C. trachomatis was detected by enzyme immunoassay for C. trachomatis specific immunoglobulin M. RESULTS: Of 1,708 patients, C. trachomatis was detected in 142 (8.3%). The incidence increased from 2002 to 2009 and was higher in spring. C. trachomatis infection was distinguished by less fever (p<0.01) and more crackle (p<0.05) on auscultation, and strongly correlated with eosinophilia (P=0.01). The severity and clinical course of C. trachomatis infection was similar to those of infections by the other etiologies. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis is prevalent among infants younger than 6 months with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. We must consider C. trachomatis as the etiologic agent in infantile respiratory infections and must make more effort to detect C. trachomatis.
