SEVERITY OF BRONCHIOLITIS ASSOCIATED WITH ATYPICAL PATHOGENS IN HOSPITALIZED INFANTS IN GEORGIA

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiolitis is the most common reason for hospitalization worldwide. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human Metapneumovirus, human Rhinoviruses, human Bocavirus have been shown to predominate. A few studies however have attempted to determine whether other pathogens, particularly Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (Mpn) and Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cpn), are associated with bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of Mpn and Cpn infection in children under the age of two years presenting to the Iashvili Central Children Hospital in Tbilisi.
 Material and Methods: Acute and convalescent serum samples were tested by ELISA for IgM and IgG antibodies to RSV, Cpn and Mpn. 37 children under two years of age were studied. In 19 patients out of 37 (51.35%) etiological diagnosis were established and in 18 patients (48.65%) no pathogens were found. 11 patients (29.72%) had either Cpn or Mpn and 8 patients (21.62%) had RSV.
 Results: Children infected with Cpn and Mpn had less severe bronchiolitis than those infected with RSV. There were no statistically significant differences between groups with respect to length of hospital stay.
 Conclusion: Our study underlines the importance of atypical bacterial pathogens in acute bronchiolitis in children under two years of age and highlights the complex epidemiology and clinical features of these pathogens in this age group.