Severe Childhood Pneumonia Worsened by Influenza Virus Coinfection

Although pneumococcal vaccination has reduced pediatric hospitalizations for pneumonia, hospitalizations for complicated pneumonia (pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion or empyema) are increasing. Respiratory viruses appear to predispose individuals to the development of bacterial pneumonia, and previous studies have suggested that coinfection with viral and bacterial pathogens is associated with increased disease severity.

Now, researchers have conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the effect of influenza virus coinfection on outcomes in children with complicated bacterial pneumonia. Using the Pediatric Health Information System, they reviewed records from 40 children's hospitals to identify patients aged ≤18 years who required…