DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i09.020

Pages: 3339-3343

Community acquired lower respiratory tract infections are common cause of acute illness in adults. The present study was undertaken to identify the etiological agents of community acquired lower respiratory tract infections. Methods 132 patients with symptoms of community acquired lower respiratory tract infection were included in study. Sputum culture and serological studies for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydiaepneumoniae specific IgM antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were done. Results: Rate of isolation from sputum culture, was 53.7%.Serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniaeIgM antibodies were 9.1% and 2.2% respectively. Organisms isolated were Klebsiellapneumoniae 21.1%, optochin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae 16.6%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Moraxella. Gram negative organisms were sensitive to third generation cephalosporins. 17% were ESBL producers. Streptococcus pneumoniae was sensitive to ampicillin and erythromycin. Conclusion: Prevalence of optochin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae with capsule was 16.6%. As phenotypic identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae is difficult based on optochin sensitivity, bile solubility and inulin fermentation tests, further evaluation of optochin resistant capsular Streptococcus pneumoniae by latex agglutination, PCR is recommended for their detection. Since seropositivity for Mycoplasma pneumonia is high, it is recommended to screen for these organisms also in culture negative pneumonia cases.