Chlamydia pneumoniae in children undergoing adenoidectomy

Abstract

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen which is often found in paediatric populations. Little is known about the true colonization rate and the localization of the bacteria in the respiratory tract. In this study, immunohistochemistry was used to examine adenoids from 69 children undergoing elective adenoidectomy. Throat swabs for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood samples for serology were also obtained. Chlamydia pneumoniae was demonstrated in the adenoids by immunohistochemistry in 68 of the children. Five children (7%) had a positive C. pneumoniae PCR test from throat swabs and 14 children (20%) had detectable antibodies by the microimmunofluorescence technique. Conclusion: The results suggest that C pneumoniae is a common finding in the adenoids of children undergoing adenoidectomy. Whether or not C pneumoniae plays a pathogenic role in this patient population could not be determined from the data obtained in this investigation.

Detection of Respiratory Viruses and Atypical Bacteria in Children's Tonsils and Adenoids

“…This difference might be due to the different detection method used, since immunohistochemical assays generally show higher sensitivities than PCRs with tissue specimens (5).…”

Infection-mediated asthma: etiology, mechanisms and treatment options, with focus on Chlamydia pneumoniae and macrolides

“…The microbiome studies cited here have not specifically targeted CP and MP in upper airways. Studies that have specifically tested for these atypical organisms have reported positive detection [ 29 , 30 ]. Intracellular detection of CP in adenoid tissue of symptomatic children was extremely common [ 30 ] and raises questions regarding a potential for CP-microbiome interactions.…”