Seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila in pneumonia patients in four major hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago / Seroprevalencia de la legionella pneumophila en pacientes con neumonía en los cuatro hospitales principales de Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago is an island-state in the Caribbean with a size of 5,128 square kilometers and a population of 1.3 million. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death in Trinidad. This project determined the frequency of Legionella pneumophila in patients with pneumonia, investigated the relationship between pneumonia and selected risk factors. Serum and demographic data were collected from 123 patients, diagnosed with pneumonia. Sera were tested for L pneumophila Ig G/M/A and IgM. All analyses were done using the SPSS statistical package. Of a total of 123 serum samples tested, 39 (31.7) were positive for L pneumophila IgM/G/A while 2 (1.6) were positive for IgM only. Hospitals, gender and ethnicity did not significantly (p > 0.05; chi-squared) affect the seroprevalence of L pneumophila. Overall, the prevalence of L pneumophila assayed was not significantly (p > 0.05, chi-squared) affected by co-morbidities.

Trinidad and Tobago es una isla del Caribe que posee una extension de 4828 kilometros cuadrados y una poblacion de 1.3 millones. La neumonia es una de las principales causas de muerte en Trinidad. Este proyecto determino la frecuencia de Legionella pneumophila en pacientes con neumonia, e investigo la relacion entre la neumonia y los factores de riesgo seleccionados. Se recopilaron datos sericos y demograficos de 123 pacientes, diagnosticados con neumonia. Los sueros fueron sometidos a analisis a fin de determinar la presencia de L. pneumophila Ig G/M/A y Ig M. Todos los analisis se realizaron usando el paquete estadistico SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). De un total de 123 muestras de suero analizadas, 39 (31.7%) dieron positivas frente a L. pneumophila Ig M/G/A, mientras que 2 (1.6%) dieron positivo frente a Ig M solamente. Los hospitales, el genero y la etnicidad no afectaron significativamente la seroprevalencia de L. pneumophila (p > 0.05; c2). En general, la prevalencia de L. pneumophila ensayada no fue afectada significativamente por comorbidades (p > 0.05, c2).

Seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila in pneumonia patients in four major hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago is an island-state in the Caribbean with a size of 5,128 square kilometers and a population of 1.3 million. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death in Trinidad. This project determined the frequency of Legionella pneumophila in patients with pneumonia, investigated the relationship between pneumonia and selected risk factors. Serum and demographic data were collected from 123 patients, diagnosed with pneumonia. Sera were tested for L pneumophila Ig G/M/A and IgM. All analyses were done using the SPSS statistical package. Of a total of 123 serum samples tested, 39 (31.7) were positive for L pneumophila IgM/G/A while 2 (1.6%) were positive for IgM only. Hospitals, gender and ethnicity did not significantly (p > 0.05; chi-squared) affect the seroprevalence of L pneumophila. Overall, the prevalence of L pneumophila assayed was not significantly (p > 0.05, chi-squared) affected by co-morbidities.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in pneumonia patients in four major hospitals in Trinidad.

The prevalence of current Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with pneumonia in Trinidad, and the relationship between pneumonia and risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were collected from 132 patients diagnosed by attending physicians, as suffering from pneumonia at four hospitals in Trinidad. Serum samples were tested for M. pneumoniae IgM and IgG and C. pneumoniae IgM by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In addition, C. pneumoniae IgM and IgG were detected using microimmunofluorescence (MIF). A comprehensive questionnaire which addressed demographic information as well as risk factors for pneumonia was administered to patients. All analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 9. Seroprevalences of 46.0% (58 of 126) were found for C. pneumoniae Ig M/G, and 66.7% (88 of 132) for M. pneumoniae Ig M/G. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01; chi2). Thirty-four percent (43 of 125) for C. pneumoniae Ig M/acute Ig G and 28.8% (36 of 125) of M. pneumoniae IgM were not statistically significant (p > 0.05; chi2). Hospital, gender and ethnicity of patients did not significantly (p > 0.05; chi2) affect the seroprevalence of the bacteria assayed for. However, the prevalence of C. pneumoniae (23.3%) in patients under 21 years old compared to other age groups was statistically significant (p = 0.043; chi2). Overall, the seroprevalence to both pathogens was not significantly (p > 0.05; chi2) affected by comorbidities and signs/symptoms. It was concluded that new infections by C. pneumoniae in pneumonia patients may be an important aetiological agent for the condition in Trinidad.