Detection of Bacteria and Viruses in the Pleural Effusion of Children and Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

AIM: To study the etiology and the utility of new molecular methods in the diagnosis of complicated pneumonia with empyema. MATERIALS & METHODS: Bacteria and viruses detection was performed by several traditional and molecular methods in the pleural fluid (PF) of 60 patients (38 children) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). RESULTS: Despite prior antimicrobial therapy in 49 (81.7%) CAP patients, an etiological diagnosis could be established in 41 (68.3%), 35 being (58.3%) Streptococcus pneumoniae. PF culture was positive in only 6 patients but each molecular test detected more than 82% of cases. CONCLUSION: Traditional culture methods have poor diagnostic sensitivity in PF because most CAP patients are under antimicrobial therapy when it is obtained. S. pneumoniae detection by molecular methods highly improves diagnosis.