Bacterial and viral etiology of severe infection in children less than three months old in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Objective. Determine the bacterial and viral etiology of severe infection i n young Papua New Guinean infants as part of a multicenter study in four de veloping countries aimed at improving case management guidelines. Methods. Between March, 1991, and April, 1993, children aged <3 months were recruited at the outpatient department of Goroka Base Hospital, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Children with predefined inclusion criteria were enrolled, a history was taken and clinical examination was performed. Blood and urine w ere collected from children with signs suggestive of severe disease togethe r with eye, umbilical and pernasal swabs as appropriate. Nasopharyngeal asp irates (NPAs) were collected from children with and without signs of severe disease for identification of viruses and Chlamydia trachomatis by direct fluorescent antibody staining. Results. 3280 infants were triaged and 2168 enrolled, among whom 968 had si gns suggestive of severe disease. Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyog enes) and Staphylococcus aureus were the most important bacterial pathogens isolated from children <1 month old with severe infections, and Streptococ cus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were most important i n older children. Of 292 eye swabs 19 (7%) grew Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Of 1 16 umbilical swabs 51 (44%) grew S. pyogenes and 45 (39%) grew Staphylococc us aureus. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most important viral cause o f acute lower respiratory infection. Conclusions, S, pyogenes, S. pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are impor tant causes of severe infection in young children in the PNG; highlands. It is necessary to improve access to clean water, promote hand-washing in the hospital and at home and investigate further the use of maternal immunizat ion for the prevention of severe disease in young infants.