1. All the cases of S. pneumoniae (n=32),
K. pneumoniae (n=23) and S. aureus
(n=15) were detected by both PCR analysis and culture of the
respiratory samples. In conventional PCR, bacterial load estimation
was not possible. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was not intended in
this study.
2. The limitation of oro-pharyngeal swab sampling
was already mentioned in the article. Although organisms like
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae,
Staphylococcus aureus are frequently detected in the upper
airways, these organisms were considered as causative agents only
when these were isolated in significant count with the absence of
growth of other commensal organisms.
3. No child had any chronic respiratory disease.
4. Sample collection of the cases was done
following admission to the hospital and initiation of the
investigation procedure. The first dose of empirical antibiotic
therapy was already administered.
5. We admit the limitation of missing
immunization history against Haemophilus influenzae B.
6. Follow-up of the patients as regarding the
treatment course was not carried out in this study.