Incidence of community-acquired pneumonia caused byChlamydia pneumoniae in Italian patients

Abstract

The incidence ofChlamydia pneumoniae as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia was evaluated in a one-year prospective study in 108 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The bacteriological diagnosis was based on culture of sputum or bronchial aspirate and examination of acute and convalescent phase sera forMycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila andChlamydia pneumoniae. A definitive microbiological diagnosis was obtained in 58 (54 %) patients.Chlamydia pneumoniae was the causative agent in 14 patients (13 %) on the basis of positive serological tests; in 10 of the 14 patientsChlamydia pneumoniae was also detected by means of an indirect immunofluorescence test using pharyngeal swab specimens. In conclusion,Chlamydia pneumoniae seems to be a common etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia, as increasingly reported in the last six to seven years.