Factors associated with anaemia among preschool- age children in underprivileged neighbourhoods in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia occurs in children when the haemoglobin level in the blood is less than the normal (11 g/dL), the consequence is the decrease of oxygen quantity in the tissues. It is a prevalent public health problem in many low-income countries, including Madagascar, and data on risk factors are lacking. We used existing data collected within the pathophysiology of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) in Madagascar and the Central African Republic project (AFRIBIOTA project) conducted in underprivileged neighbourhoods of Antananarivo to investigate the factors associated with anaemia in children 24 to 59 months of age. METHODS: Children included in the AFRIBIOTA project in Antananarivo for whom data on haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations were available were included in the study. Logistic regression modelling was performed to identify factors associated with anaemia. RESULTS: Of the 414 children included in this data analysis, 24.4% were found to suffer from anaemia. We found that older children (adjusted OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98) were less likely to have anaemia. Those with iron deficiency (adjusted OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 3.4-11.1) and those with a high level of faecal calprotectin (adjusted OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4-4.4) were more likely to have anaemia than controls. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce anaemia in the children in this underprivileged area, more emphasis should be given to national strategies that improve children's dietary quality and micronutrient intake. Furthermore, existing measures should be broadened to include measures to reduce infectious disease burden.

Telehome Monitoring of Symptoms and Lung Function in Children with Asthma.

Background: The ability to perceive bronchial obstruction is variable in asthma. This is one of the main causes of inaccurate asthma control assessment, on which therapeutic strategies are based. Objective: Primary: To evaluate the ability of physicians to characterize the bronchial obstruction perception profile in asthmatic children using a clinical and spiro-metric telemonitoring device. Secondary: To evaluate its impact on asthma management (control, treatment, respiratory function variability) and the acceptability of this telemonitoring system. Methods: 26 asthmatic children aged 6−18 years equipped with a portable spirometer and a smartphone application were home-monitored remotely for 3 months. Clinical and spiro-metric data were automatically transmitted to a secure internet platform. By analyzing these data, three physicians blindly and independently classified the patients according to their perception profile. The impact of telemonitoring on the quantitative data was assessed at the beginning (T0) and end (T3 months) of telemonitoring, using matched statistical tests. Results: Patients could initially be classified according to their perception profile, with a concordance between the three observers of 64% (kappa coefficient: 0.55, 95%CI [0.39; 0.71]). After discussion among the observers, consensus was reached for all patients but one. There was a significant >40% decrease in FEV1 and PEF variability, with good acceptance of the device. Conclusions: Clinical and spiro-metric tele-home monitoring is applicable and can help define the perception profile of bronchial obstruction in asthmatic children. The device was generally well accepted.

Decline in Vaccine-Type Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes Following Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction in Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: The 10-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced into the Extended Program on Immunization in Madagascar. We assessed the impact of PCV10 on the targeted pneumococcal serotypes among children < 5 years of age at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mère Enfant Tsaralalàna. METHOD: Between 2012 and December 2018, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected and tested for S. pneumoniae by culture, and antigen tests. The Sentinel Site Laboratory (SSL) referred available CSF samples to the Regional Reference Laboratory (RRL) for real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmatory testing and serotyping. RESULTS: In total, 3616 CSF specimens were collected. The SSL referred 2716 to the RRL; 125 were positive for S. pneumoniae. At the RRL, 115 samples that tested positive for S. pneumoniae were serotyped; PCV10 serotypes accounted for 20%. Compared to the pre-PCV period, the proportion of S. pneumoniae detected declined from 22% to 6.6%, (P < .05), the proportion of PCV10 serotypes as the cause of pneumococcal meningitis cases declined by 26% following vaccine introduction. CONCLUSIONS: In our findings, PCV10 introduction resulted in a decline of meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae and PCV10 vaccine serotypes.

Factors Associated with Stunted Growth in Children Under Five Years in Antananarivo, Madagascar and Bangui, Central African Republic.

OBJECTIVES: With a fourth of all under-five children affected, stunting remains one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. Even though the main underlying factors are known, the exact pathways to stunting varying in affected regions, and interventions thus need to be tailored to the local contexts. This study aimed assessing and comparing factors associated with stunting in two understudied sub-Saharan urban contexts with some of the highest stunting prevalence globally: Bangui, Central African Republic (~ 36%) and Antananarivo, Madagascar (42%). METHODS: We performed a case-control study on 175 + 194 stunted and 237 + 230 non-stunted control children aged 2-5 years and matched for age, gender and district of residency. Factors associated with stunting were identified using a standardized, paper questionnaire delivered by trained interviewers. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: In both sites, formal maternal education lowered the risk of being stunted and restricted access to soap, suffering of anaemia and low birth weight were associated with higher risk of stunting. Short maternal stature, household head different from parents, diarrhoea and coughing were associated with an increased risk and continuing breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of stunting in Antananarivo. Previous severe undernutrition and dermatitis/ fungal skin infections were associated with higher and changes in diet during pregnancy with lower risk of stunting in Bangui. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest maternal education, antenatal care, iron supplementation and simple WASH interventions such as using soap and infection control as general and breastfeeding (Antananarivo) or better nutrition (Bangui) as area-specified interventions.

Efforts Towards Polio Eradication in Madagascar: 1997 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: In 1988, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. WHO AFRO is close to achieve this goal with the last wild poliovirus detected in 2014 in Borno States in Nigeria. The certification of the WHO African Region requires that all the 47 member states meet the critical indicators for a polio free status. Madagascar started implementing polio eradication activities in 1996 and was declared polio free in June 2018 in Abuja. This study describes the progress achieved towards polio eradication activities in Madagascar from 1977-2017 and highlights the remaining challenges to be addressed. METHODS: Data were collected from the national routine immunization services, Country Acute Flaccid surveillance databases and national reports of SIAS and Mop Up campaign. Country complete polio and immunization related documentation provided detailed historical information's. RESULTS: From 1997 to 2017, Madagascar reported one wild poliovirus (WPV) outbreak and four circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) oubreaks with a total of 21 polioviruses (1 WPV and 21 cVDPV). The last WPV and cVDPV were notified in 1997 in Antananarivo and 2015 in Sakaraha health districts respectively. Madagascar met the main polio surveillance indicators over the last ten years and made significant progress following the last cVDPV2 outbreak in 2014 -2015. In addition, the country successfully implemented the switch from trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent Oral Polio vaccine (bOPV) and containment activities. Environmental Surveillance established since 2015 did not reveal any poliovirus. The administrative coverage of the 3rd dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV3) varied across the years from 55% in 1991 to a maximum of 95% in 2007 before a progressive decrease to 86% in 2017. The percentage of AFP cases with more than 3 doses of oral polio vaccines increased from 56% in 2014 to 88% in 2017. A total of 19 supplementary immunization activities (SIA) were conducted in Madagascar from 1997 to 2017, among which 3 were subnational immunization days (sNID) and 16 were national immunization days (NIDs). Poor routine coverage contributed to the occurrence of cVDPC outbreaks in the country; addressing this should remain a key priority for the country to maintain the polio free status.From 2015 to June 2017, Madagascar achieved the required criteria leading to the acceptance of the country's polio-free documentation in June 2018 by ARCC. However, continuous efforts will be needed to maintain a highly sensitive polio surveillance system with emphasis on security compromised areas. Finally strengthening the health system and governance at all levels will be necessary if these achievements are to be sustained. CONCLUSIONS: High national political commitment and support of the Global Polio Eradication Partnership were critical for Madagascar to achieve polio free status. Socio-political instability, weakness of the health system, sub-optimal routine immunization performance, insufficient SIA quality and existing security compromised areas remain critical program challenges to address in order to maintaining the polio free status. Continuous high-level advocacy should be kept in order to ensure that new government authorities maintain polio eradication among the top priorities of the country.

Diarrhea hospitalization costs among children <5 years old in Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Following a recommendation by the World Health Organization, Madagascar introduced rotavirus vaccine in 2014. Though national rotavirus vaccine coverage has remained <80%, rotavirus hospitalizations declined by 78%. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has provided financial support for rotavirus vaccine, however the Malagasy government has increasing responsibility for the financial cost. METHODS: In this evaluation, we describe the direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect cost of illness due to diarrhea among children <5 years old at a public pediatric referral hospital. A 3-part structured questionnaire was administered during and following the hospitalization and the child's hospital record was reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 96 children were included in this analysis. The median total cost of the illness was $156.00 (IQR: 104.00, 210.86) and the median direct medical cost was $107.22. Service delivery costs represented a median of 44% of the inpatient costs; medications and diagnostic tests represented a median of 28% and 20% of the total costs of the hospitalization, respectively. The median percentage of the total illness costs paid by the household was 67%. Among households with income of <$61/month, the median costs of the illness paid by the household were $78.55, representing a median of 168% of the household's monthly expenses. Among households earning >$303/month, the median costs paid by the household were $147.30, representing a median of 53% of the household's monthly expenses. Among all household income levels, caregivers commonly paid these bills from savings, borrowed money, and donations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings will be useful in assessing the cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine by decisionmakers. These results may also help hospital administrators and healthcare providers better understand the financial constraints of families.

Impact of 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Bacterial Meningitis in Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced in Madagascar in 2012. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of PCV10 on bacterial meningitis in hospitalized children <5 years of age. METHODS: During 2010-2017, data from the hospital admission logbook were recorded for bacterial meningitis and pneumonia hospitalizations in children <5 years of age. Between April 2011 and December 2017, 3312 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from children who fulfilled the World Health Organization case definition of suspected bacterial meningitis were analyzed at the sentinel site laboratory (SSL) by microscopy, culture, and antigen detection tests. A total of 2065 CSF samples were referred to the regional reference laboratory for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. 2010-2011 was defined as the prevaccine period, 2012 as vaccine introduction year, and 2013-2017 the postvaccine period. The number of cases, causative agent, and pneumonia hospitalizations were compared before and after PCV10 introduction. RESULTS: In the prevaccine period, bacterial meningitis and pneumonia hospitalizations accounted for 4.5% and 24.5% of all hospitalizations while there were 2.6% and 19%, respectively, in the postvaccine period (P < .001). In samples tested at the SSL, 154 were positive with 80% Streptococcus pneumoniae and 20% other bacteria. Pneumococcal meningitis diagnosed by RT-PCR declined from 14% in 2012 to 3% in 2017. Also, 14% of children with pneumococcal meningitis died. CONCLUSIONS: Following PCV10 introduction, pneumococcal meningitis, bacterial meningitis, and pneumonia hospitalizations declined. Surveillance should continue to monitor the impact of PCV10.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Chryseobacterium indologenes Strain Isolated from a Blood Culture of a Hospitalized Child in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

We report here the draft genome sequence of a Chryseobacterium indologenes strain, isolated from a blood culture of a 2.2-year-old child admitted to the hospital for vomiting and coughing. The genome was composed of 5,063,674 bp and had 37.04% GC content. We detected 4,796 genes with predicted protein-coding functions, including those associated with antibiotic resistance.

Epidemiology of Early-onset Bacterial Neonatal Infections in Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about early-onset neonatal bacterial infections (EONBI) in Madagascar. Our aim was to determine their epidemiology to improve their management. METHODS: Inborn neonates at risk for EONBI and admitted in the neonatal unit of 2 tertiary hospitals in Antananarivo, Madagascar, were included in a prospective study from April 2012 to March 2013. Using a clinical algorithm, blood culture, gastric fluid culture and C-reactive protein dosage were performed in newborns at high risk of infection, that is, peri partum fever, prematurity <35 weeks' gestation or birth weight <2000 g, or presenting with clinical signs of infection. EONBI was defined as a bacteremia occurring within the first week of life. RESULTS: Among 307 neonates, 75 (24.4%) had an EONBI caused by 1 (n = 59) or 2 (n = 16) bacteria (91 isolates). Gram-negative bacteria were predominant (n = 62, 82.7%), including Enterobacter cloacae (n = 26), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 14), Escherichia coli (n = 7) and Proteus mirabilis (n = 2). Group B Streptococcus, Acinetobacter baumanii and Enterococcus sp. represented 3.6%, 8.2% and 12.1% of the isolates, respectively. All E. cloacae and 12/14 (85.7%) K. pneumoniae were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producers. At all, 41/91 (45.1%) bacteria were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 34/75 (45.3%) newborns had an EONBI caused by an MDR bacteria. Neonatal asphyxia was the only factor associated with multidrug resistance (odds ratio: 4.52; CI: 1.20-16.94; P = 0.025). The EONBI-related mortality (n = 20/75, 26.7%) rose up to 38.2% (n = 13/34) in case of MDR bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of EONBIs in Madagascar is comparable to that found in many low-income countries. Prevention, including improvement of hygiene during resuscitation for neonatal asphyxia, is likely to be more effective in reducing EONBI-related morbidity and mortality than using new antibiotics to counter resistance.

Identifying the etiology and pathophysiology underlying stunting and environmental enteropathy: study protocol of the AFRIBIOTA project.

BACKGROUND: Globally one out of four children under 5 years is affected by linear growth delay (stunting). This syndrome has severe long-term sequelae including increased risk of illness and mortality and delayed psychomotor development. Stunting is a syndrome that is linked to poor nutrition and repeated infections. To date, the treatment of stunted children is challenging as the underlying etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesize that pediatric environmental enteropathy (PEE), a chronic inflammation of the small intestine, plays a major role in the pathophysiology of stunting, failure of nutritional interventions and diminished response to oral vaccines, potentially via changes in the composition of the pro- and eukaryotic intestinal communities. The main objective of AFRIBIOTA is to describe the intestinal dysbiosis observed in the context of stunting and to link it to PEE. Secondary objectives include the identification of the broader socio-economic environment and biological and environmental risk factors for stunting and PEE as well as the testing of a set of easy-to-use candidate biomarkers for PEE. We also assess host outcomes including mucosal and systemic immunity and psychomotor development. This article describes the rationale and study protocol of the AFRIBIOTA project. METHODS: AFRIBIOTA is a case-control study for stunting recruiting children in Bangui, Central African Republic and in Antananarivo, Madagascar. In each country, 460 children aged 2-5 years with no overt signs of gastrointestinal disease are recruited (260 with no growth delay, 100 moderately stunted and 100 severely stunted). We compare the intestinal microbiota composition (gastric and small intestinal aspirates; feces), the mucosal and systemic immune status and the psychomotor development of children with stunting and/or PEE compared to non-stunted controls. We also perform anthropological and epidemiological investigations of the children's broader living conditions and assess risk factors using a standardized questionnaire. DISCUSSION: To date, the pathophysiology and risk factors of stunting and PEE have been insufficiently investigated. AFRIBIOTA will add new insights into the pathophysiology underlying stunting and PEE and in doing so will enable implementation of new biomarkers and design of evidence-based treatment strategies for these two syndromes.

Analysis of Death and Survival Factors Associated with Childhood Bacterial Meningitis at a Reference Pediatric Hospital in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis (BM) remains a global public health problem and most cases and deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and especially in children less than five years old, due to a variety of factors. This study was conducted to determine the principal factors associated with death and survival of children due to BM in a typical African tertiary health facility. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of children hospitalized for BM was conducted in the University Hospital of Tsaralalàna (CHUMET). All children aged 3 to 59 months hospitalized for bacterial meningitis and confirmed by bacteriology were included. The cases were children who died from BM, and the controls were the survivors. Data was analyzed using Stata 13. RESULTS: The factors associated with death were the number of siblings over 3 (14,48 [2,53 - 82,95]), overcrowding (9,31 [1,39 - 62,29]), time before hospitalization of more than five days (9,26 [1,36 - 62,92]), impaired consciousness (47,74 [6,24 - 364,96]), and meningococcal meningitis (36,68 [1,90 - 704,97]). CONCLUSION: These factors are mainly indicators of low socioeconomic status, clinical severity of signs and particularly virulent organisms. The early detection of patients at risk allows clinicians to give them appropriate care right from admission. Further studies are necessary especially, the evaluation of the emergency care provided.

Severity of Pneumonia in Under 5-Year-Old Children from Developing Countries: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children. The objectives were to evaluate the microbiological agents linked with hypoxemia in hospitalized children with pneumonia from developing countries, to identify predictors of hypoxemia, and to characterize factors associated with in-hospital mortality. A multicenter, observational study was conducted in five hospitals, from India (Lucknow, Vadu), Madagascar (Antananarivo), Mali (Bamako), and Paraguay (San Lorenzo). Children aged 2-60 months with radiologically confirmed pneumonia were enrolled prospectively. Respiratory and whole blood specimens were collected, identifying viruses and bacteria by real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microbiological agents linked with hypoxemia at admission (oxygen saturation < 90%) were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, and factors associated with 14-day in-hospital mortality were assessed by bivariate Cox regression. Overall, 405 pneumonia cases (3,338 hospitalization days) were analyzed; 13 patients died within 14 days of hospitalization. Hypoxemia prevalence was 17.3%. Detection of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in respiratory samples was independently associated with increased risk of hypoxemia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.4, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.0-5.8 and aOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1-5.3, respectively). Lower chest indrawing and cyanosis were predictive of hypoxemia (positive likelihood ratios = 2.3 and 2.4, respectively). Predictors of death were Streptococcus pneumoniae detection by blood PCR (crude hazard ratio [cHR] = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.5-14.0), procalcitonin ≥ 50 ng/mL (cHR = 22.4, 95% CI = 7.3-68.5) and hypoxemia (cHR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.6-14.4). These findings were consistent on bivariate analysis. hMPV and RSV in respiratory samples were linked with hypoxemia, and S. pneumoniae in blood was associated with increased risk of death among hospitalized children with pneumonia in developing countries.

Microorganisms Associated With Pneumonia in Children <5 Years of Age in Developing and Emerging Countries: The GABRIEL Pneumonia Multicenter, Prospective, Case-Control Study.

Background: Pneumonia, the leading infectious cause of child mortality globally, mainly afflicts developing countries. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the microorganisms associated with pneumonia in children aged <5 years in developing and emerging countries. Methods: A multicenter, case-control study by the GABRIEL (Global Approach to Biological Research, Infectious diseases and Epidemics in Low-income countries) network was conducted between 2010 and 2014 in Cambodia, China, Haiti, India (2 sites), Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, and Paraguay. Cases were hospitalized children with radiologically confirmed pneumonia; controls were children from the same setting without any features suggestive of pneumonia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from all subjects; 19 viruses and 5 bacteria were identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Associations between microorganisms and pneumonia were quantified by calculating the adjusted population attributable fraction (aPAF) after multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, time period, other pathogens, and site. Results: Overall, 888 cases and 870 controls were analyzed; ≥1 microorganism was detected in respiratory samples in 93.0% of cases and 74.4% of controls (P < .001). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus 1, 3, and 4, and influenza virus A and B were independently associated with pneumonia; aPAF was 42.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.5%-48.2%) for S. pneumoniae, 18.2% (95% CI, 17.4%-19.0%) for RSV, and 11.2% (95% CI, 7.5%-14.7%) for rhinovirus. Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae, RSV, and rhinovirus may be the major microorganisms associated with pneumonia infections in children <5 years of age from developing and emerging countries. Increasing S. pneumoniae vaccination coverage may substantially reduce the burden of pneumonia among children in developing countries.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Malagasy Children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood community-acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of childhood morbidity in low-income countries. The etiologic agents are usually Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. M. pneumoniae was recognized as a cofactor in asthmatic disease. High asthma prevalence was reported in Madagascar. Our aim was to clarify the prevalence of M. pneumoniae infection in this country and its relationship with asthma. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 351 children (from 2 to 16 years of age) from January 2012 to December 2014. According to the clinical symptoms, children were enrolled in 3 groups: "control group" (CG, n = 106), "asthma group" (n = 129) and "pneumonia group" (n = 116). The IgG and IgM M. pneumoniae status was evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical signs of infection, socioeconomic data and antimicrobial treatment were recorded. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of M. pneumoniae infection was 18.2%. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that M. pneumoniae infection was significantly more frequent in the CG [pneumonia group vs. CG: odds ratio = 0.45 (0.21-0.91), P = 0.037 and asthma group vs. CG: odds ratio = 0.39 (0.18-0.87), P = 0.021]. The C-reactive protein value was significantly higher in children with M. pneumonia-positive serology (85 vs. 61 mg/L, P = 0.03). Of note, 99 (41%) children received antibiotics before attending. CONCLUSIONS: We report a prevalence of 18.2% for M. pneumoniae infection in children in Madagascar. The prevalence of M. pneumoniae infection was higher in the control patients than in asthmatic ones.

Multicenter case-control study protocol of pneumonia etiology in children: Global Approach to Biological Research, Infectious diseases and Epidemics in Low-income countries (GABRIEL network).

BACKGROUND: Data on the etiologies of pneumonia among children are inadequate, especially in developing countries. The principal objective is to undertake a multicenter incident case-control study of <5-year-old children hospitalized with pneumonia in developing and emerging countries, aiming to identify the causative agents involved in pneumonia while assessing individual and microbial factors associated with the risk of severe pneumonia. METHODS/DESIGN: A multicenter case-control study, based on the GABRIEL network, is ongoing. Ten study sites are located in 9 countries over 3 continents: Brazil, Cambodia, China, Haiti, India, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, and Paraguay. At least 1,000 incident cases and 1,000 controls will be enrolled and matched for age and date. Cases are hospitalized children <5 years with radiologically confirmed pneumonia, and the controls are children without any features suggestive of pneumonia. Respiratory specimens are collected from all enrolled subjects to identify 19 viruses and 5 bacteria. Whole blood from pneumonia cases is being tested for 3 major bacteria. S. pneumoniae-positive specimens are serotyped. Urine samples from cases only are tested for detection of antimicrobial activity. The association between procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and pathogens is being evaluated. A discovery platform will enable pathogen identification in undiagnosed samples. DISCUSSION: This multicenter study will provide descriptive results for better understanding of pathogens responsible for pneumonia among children in developing countries. The identification of determinants related to microorganisms associated with pneumonia and its severity should facilitate treatment and prevention.