The Clinical Profile of Pediatric <i>M. pneumoniae</i> Infections in the Context of a New Post-Pandemic Wave
<i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> is an atypical bacterium with a tropism for the respiratory tract, but it can also cause numerous extrapulmonary involvements. The incidence of high rates varies in epidemiological waves, occurring at a frequency of 3–7 years. Since the end of 2023, an increa...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1152 |
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| Summary: | <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> is an atypical bacterium with a tropism for the respiratory tract, but it can also cause numerous extrapulmonary involvements. The incidence of high rates varies in epidemiological waves, occurring at a frequency of 3–7 years. Since the end of 2023, an increase in the incidence of <i>M. pneumoniae</i> infection cases has been noted internationally. We conducted a retrospective study of children hospitalized and confirmed with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> infection in our clinic during the last two epidemiological peaks. We retrieved data from the hospital database and divided the patients into two groups, corresponding to the years 2018–2019 and 2023–2024, respectively. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the proportions. In the years 2023–2024, we observed a higher incidence of patients with respiratory failure (<i>p</i> = 0.032), pleural reaction (<i>p</i> = 0.016), and pulmonary consolidation (<i>p</i> = 0.016) compared to the group in the years 2018–2019. Gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in the years 2018–2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.004). The incidence of other extrapulmonary complications did not show significant differences. Infection with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> has varied clinical manifestations. In patients with community-acquired pneumonia, even in cases of consolidation, the possibility of infection with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> must also be considered. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |