Key result
PCR can aid diagnosis of viral and atypical childhood pneumonias that clinically mimic bacterial pneumonia.
Why the study?
Most children presenting with pneumonia in the industrialised world have viral or atypical organisms, but their clinical features may be indistinguishable from bacterial pneumonia, complicating diagnosis and treatment choice.
Provides an overview of the clinical features, diagnosis, and sequelae of viral and atypical pneumonia in children.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Clinical overlap precludes reliable differentiation from bacterial pneumonia; leaves open whether PCR improves outcomes without prospective validation.
Most children presenting with pneumonia in the industrialised world will have a viral or 'atypical' organism. The clinical features of these 'atypical' pneumonias may be indistinguishable from bacterial pneumonia. New diagnostic techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction may help in diagnosis and choice of treatment, where appropriate. The pathological and clinical features of infection with each agent are discussed, together with their sequelae.
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Alan R Smyth (2002) conducted a review in Pneumonia due to viral and atypical organisms. Viral and atypical pneumonias in children have clinical features indistinguishable from bacterial pneumonia, and new diagnostic techniques like PCR may aid in diagnosis and treatment.
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