Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the significance of smear Gram staining microscopy of sputum through nose sampling among children for the early diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia（CAP）. Methods From January 2015 to March 2015,596 sputum specimens were collected through nose sampling among children suspected with CAP,and were performed culture and smear Gram staining microscopy. The results of the 2 methods were compared. Results A total of 596 sputum specimens were detected,389 sputum specimens were qualified,and the qualification rate was 65.27%. A total of 368 pathogenic strains were isolated,and the culture positive rate was 61.74% （368/596）. Moraxella catarrhalis,Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureuswere the top 4 species of pathogenic strains. The coincidence rate between the results of the 2 methods was 86.24%（514/596）,and there was no statistical significance between the 2 methods （P=0.845 0）. Conclusions Smear Gram staining microscopy of sputum through nose sampling among children is economical and fast,which could provide important information among children for the early diagnosis and treatment of CAP.

Key words: Sputum through nose sampling, Sputum smear, Gram staining, Community-acquired pneumonia, Early diagnosis, Child