목 적:Chlamydia trachomatis는 전세계적으로 가장 흔한 성 매개 질환으로 감염된 임산부에서 산도를 지나면서 감염이 이루어지며 영유아 초기에 폐렴을 일으킨다. 이에 저자들은 6개월 미만의 폐렴, 세기관지염으로 입원한 영유아를 대상으로 검사하여 연도별, 월별 발생양상, 임상적 특징을 알아보고 중증도와 임상경과를 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법:2002년 2월부터 2010년 1월까지 가천의과대학교 길병원에 내원하여 폐렴과 세기관지염으로 진단되어 입원한 6개월 미만의 영아를 대상으로 혈액에서 항 C. trachomatis IgM으로 진단하였다. 대상 환아에 대하여 검사 결과와 의무기록을 통해 후향적으로 검토하여 C. trachomatis 양성군과 음성군을 비교하였다. 결 과:대상 환아는 전체 1,708명이었으며 142명이 양성으로 검출률은 8.3%였다. 연도별 분석으로 최근 증가하는 경향이 있었고 월별 분포는 주로 봄부터 가을까지 유행하며 늦은 봄인 6월에 정점을 이루었다. C. trachomatis에 의한 하기도 감염은 입원 전 증상이 7일 이상인 비율이 유의하게 높았고, 발열은 적고 수포음은 더 많이 진찰되었다. 혈액 검사에서 호산구의 비율, 호산구과다증 모두에서 유의한 증가가 있었다. 재입원률, 입원 기간, 중증도는 C. trachomatis 양성군과 음성군 사이의 차이는 없었다결 론:6개월 미만의 영아에서 C. trachomatis에 의한 하기도 감염의 경우, 발열은 적고 수포음은 더 많이 진찰되었으며 혈액 검사에서 호산구과다증이 유의하게 더 많았다. C. trachomatis는 현재 빈도가 증가하고 있어 영아 초기 하기도 감염의 원인으로 중요하게 고려해야 한다.

Purpose:Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most prevalent etiology of sexually transmitted diseases and also a cause of respiratory infections in infants. The purposes of this study were to determine the epidemiology, presentation, and laboratory findings of C. trachomatis respiratory infection, and to investigate its severity and hospital courses. Methods:Between February 2002 and January 2010, we enrolled infants younger than 6 months admitted to Gil Hospital with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. Clinical findings and demographic data were reviewed in all patients. Basic laboratory examinations included white blood cell and eosinophil count. C. trachomatis was detected by enzyme immunoassay for C. trachomatis specific immunoglobulin M. Results:Of 1,708 patients, C. trachomatis was detected in 142 (8.3%). The incidence increased from 2002 to 2009 and was higher in spring. C. trachomatis infection was distinguished by less fever (P<0.01) and more crackle (P<0.05) on auscultation, and strongly correlated with eosinophilia (P=0.01). The severity and clinical course of C. trachomatis infection was similar to those of infections by the other etiologies. Conclusion:C. trachomatis is prevalent among infants younger than 6 months with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. We must consider C. trachomatis as the etiologic agent in infantile respiratory infections and must make more effort to detect C. trachomatis.

Purpose:Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most prevalent etiology of sexually transmitted diseases and also a cause of respiratory infections in infants. The purposes of this study were to determine the epidemiology, presentation, and laboratory findings of C. trachomatis respiratory infection, and to investigate its severity and hospital courses. Methods:Between February 2002 and January 2010, we enrolled infants younger than 6 months admitted to Gil Hospital with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. Clinical findings and demographic data were reviewed in all patients. Basic laboratory examinations included white blood cell and eosinophil count. C. trachomatis was detected by enzyme immunoassay for C. trachomatis specific immunoglobulin M. Results:Of 1,708 patients, C. trachomatis was detected in 142 (8.3%). The incidence increased from 2002 to 2009 and was higher in spring. C. trachomatis infection was distinguished by less fever (P<0.01) and more crackle (P<0.05) on auscultation, and strongly correlated with eosinophilia (P=0.01). The severity and clinical course of C. trachomatis infection was similar to those of infections by the other etiologies. Conclusion:C. trachomatis is prevalent among infants younger than 6 months with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolits and pneumonia. We must consider C. trachomatis as the etiologic agent in infantile respiratory infections and must make more effort to detect C. trachomatis.