A retrospective survey of infection rates in paediatric patients from a single centre in Wuxi, China

Abstract

Objective To provide some epidemiological data on Chlamydia pneumoniae infection rates in paediatric patients at a single centre in Wuxi, China. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of serum samples from paediatric patients (<12 years) with a respiratory tract infection (RTI) and who had been admitted to the Department of Paediatrics, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, China, from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2016. C. pneumoniae IgM antibodies had been analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Of the 3866 children (2073 boys, 1793 girls) with a RTI that provided serum samples, 19% were positive for C. pneumoniae IgM antibodies. Among these children, 56% were positive for other infections. Conclusions Children over 6 years of age with a RTI had a higher C.pneumoniae infection rate than younger children and the infection rate was more common in winter months compared with other times of the year.