Mycoplasma pneumoniae e Chlamydia pneumoniae: Patogeni emergenti nelle infezioni respiratorie dell'età pediatrica

The growing use of specialized diagnostic techniques over the last ten years has allowed a considerable amount of new information to be obtained concerning the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. In paediatric patients, these pathogens seem to play a more significant role in causing respiratory tract infections than previously thought they have been associated with both upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and they are also frequent in children aged less than five years. Contrary to what was originally believed, no clinical, laboratory or radiological findings seem to be unique to M. pneumoniae or C pneumoniae; furthermore, there is no rapid and cost-effective diagnostic test capable of identifying them. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment of the infections they cause is needed in order to reduce the recurrent episodes of respiratory tract infections and avoid the spread of the pathogens in the community.