Detection of respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens causing pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in Beijing using real-time PCR

Zhang, Tie-Gang; Li, Ai-Hua; Lyu, Min; Chen, Meng; Huang, Fang; Wu, Jiang

To determine whether the etiology of CAP differs by seasons, the prevalence of each major pathogen was compared throughout the year. Fig. 1 shows the seasonal epidemiology for six of pathogenic agents (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus) that were identified in 371 CAP patients over one year from February 2011 to January 2012. The data is reported as the percentage of CAP patients each month that tested positive for the pathogenic agents. Only five patients were enrolled from July to October 2011, among which three patients were enrolled in July, two in August, and no patients in September and October. Overall, respiratory syncytial virus and S. pneumoniae were the predominant pathogenic agents for CAP patients. These pathogens were detected in the spring, autumn, and winter. The peak incidence of respiratory syncytial virus was observed from December 2011 to January 2012. The peak incidence of S. pneumoniae was observed in May 2011. The occurrence throughout the other months was even except for July to October 2011.