DIAGNOSIS OF CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION

The genus Chlamydia now contains 4 species, 2 of which, Chlamydia trac homatis and C. pneumoniae are Important human pathogens. Both organism s cause infections in children and adults, but infection in children p ose a unique set of problems. As C. trachomatis is primarily a sexuall y transmitted disease, the presence of rectal or genital infection in a prepubertal child has been used as evidence of sexual abuse. Althoug h there are several categories of non-culture tests tht have been appr oved for genital sites in adults, these tests are not approved for the se sites in children. Of these tests in rectal and vaginal specimens i n children have been associated with a high rate of false positives. C . pneumoniae is emerging as a frequent cause of community acquired pne umonia in adults and children. Because culture is not generally availa ble, serologic diagnosis is used more frequently. However, currently a vailable serologic methods appear to be insensitive in children. The a vailability of a commercial PCR test will greatly facilitate the diagn osis of C. pneumoniae infections in children.