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To determine the incidence and etiologies of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization since the introduction of vaccines for Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae, the Centers for Disease Control conducted an active-surveillance study. From 2010 to 2012, 2358 children (<18 years) with radiographic evidence of pneumonia were enrolled at children's hospitals in three cities. Extensive testing for pathogens was performed, including polymerase chain reaction assays for viruses in respiratory swab specimens, serologic testing for viruses, and multiple blood and pleural fluid (when available) tests for bacteria.
Most patients (70%) were younger than 5 years and had at least one underlying condition, suc…