Microbiologlcal aetiology of pneumonia in quldren under five years at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Percutaneous needle aspiration of the lung was performed on 45 children admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital, over a 3 month period, to determine aetiology of pneumonia.

Positive bacterial cultures were obtained from 49% of the lung aspirates. The commonest bacteria was coagulase negative staphylococcus, 52% followed by Escherichia coli, 16%, Klebsiella, 12%. Haemophilus influenzae contributed to 8% of the isolates, the pneumococcus was not isolated.Positive viral isolates were obtained-in 47% of the lung aspirates. Respiratory syncytial virus, RSV was the most commonly encountered virus. No measles virus was found.

A combined bacterial and viral aetiology was found in 22% of the 23 lung aspirates that underwent complete bacterial and viral studies. Bacteria alone were found in 39% and viruses in 17%.

The coagulase negative staphylococcus was resistant to the penicillins. Gram negative organisms were fairly sensitive to the aminoglycosides.

Minor complicationsoccured in 5(11.9%) of the children, all of whom recovered spnontaneously.