Value of autotaxin in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the value of autotaxin (an autocrine motility factor) level in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children and its correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and C-reactive protein (CRP).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 238 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted from January 2019 to December 2021. According to disease severity, they were divided into two groups: RMPP (n=82) and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP; n=156). The two groups were compared in terms of the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF to study the value of autotaxin level in serum and BALF in predicting RMPP in children, as well as the correlation of autotaxin level with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in children with RMPP.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the GMPP group, the RMPP group had significantly higher levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF (P<0.05). For the children with RMPP, the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF in the acute stage were significantly higher than those in the convalescent stage (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF had a good value in predicting RMPP in children, with an area under the curve of 0.874 (95%CI: 0.816-0.935) and 0.862 (95%CI: 0.802-0.924), respectively. The correlation analysis showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF was positively correlated with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP levels (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The level of autotaxin in serum and BALF increases and is correlated with the degree of disease recovery and inflammatory cytokines in children with RMPP. Autotaxin can be used as a predictive indicator for RMPP in children.

Value of chitinase-like protein YKL-40 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for predicting refractory / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the value of chitinase-like protein YKL-40 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for predicting refractory @*METHODS@#A total of 50 children with common @*RESULTS@#Compared with the common MPP group, the RMPP group had significantly higher incidence rates of fever, shortness of breath, lung consolidation, and pleural effusion (@*CONCLUSIONS@#There is an increase in the level of YKL-40 in BALF in children with RMPP, and the level of YKL-40 in BALF has a certain value for predicting RMPP.

Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae en niños menores de 12 años / Seroprevalence of anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies in otherwise healthy children

Resumen: Introducción: La infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mypn) podría estar ocurriendo a edades más tempranas, debido a fenómenos sociales como concurrencia a centros de cuidado diurno en forma más frecuente y precoz. Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Mypn en niños de 0-12 años, y explorar si la edad, asistencia a centro de cuidados diurnos/escuela, hacinamiento o convivencia con niños incrementan el riesgo de seropositividad. Pacientes y Método: Estudio transversal incluyendo niños de 0-12 años de edad que requirieron extracciones de sangre para control, por lo demás sanos. En todos los casos se consignaron las variables mencionadas y se determinó IgG anti-Mypn mediante enzimoinmunoanálisis. Se evaluó la asociación entre predictores y seropositividad en un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: Se incluyeron 232 pacientes (edad promedio 56,4 ± 40,0 meses). El 56,9% concurría a centro de cuidado diurno/escuela, 63,8% convivían con menores de 12 años y 15,9% presentaban hacinamiento. El 14,6% presentaba anticuerpos anti-Mypn. Los niños seroposi- tivos no mostraron diferencias significativas con aquellos seronegativos en relación a edad (63,1 ± 40,7 vs. 55,4 ± 41,3 meses), escolaridad (64,7% vs 55,5%), hacinamiento (14,7% vs 14,9%), ni con vivencia con menores (64,7% vs 63,6%). La edad tampoco se mostró como predictor independiente de seropositividad en el modelo multivariado. Conclusión: La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Mypn fue 14,6%. La edad no fue predictor de seropositividad.

Abstract: Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mypn) infection could be occurring at an earlier age due to social pheno mena such as attending daycare centers more frequently and earlier than decades ago. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of anti-Mypn antibodies in children aged 0-12 years, and to explore whether age, attendance to daycare center/school, overcrowding or the presence of children aged below 12 years in the households increase the risk of seropositivity. Patients and Method: Cross-sectional stu dy including healthy children aged 0-12 years which required blood draws for routine laboratory tests. In all cases, the aforementioned variables were recorded and anti-Mypn IgG was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The association between predictors and seropositivity was assessed in a logistic regression model. Results: We included 232 patients (average age 56.4 ± 40.0 months). 56.9% attended a daycare center/school, 63.8% co-habited with children under 12 years old, and 15.9% lived in overcrowded households. The prevalence of anti-Mypn antibodies was 14.6%. There were no significant differences between seropositive and seronegative children regarding age (63.1 ± 40.7 vs. 55.4 ± 41.3 months), school/day-care attendance (64.7% vs. 55.5%), overcrowding (14.7% vs. 14.9%), or co-habiting with children (64.7% vs. 63.6%). Age was not an independent predictor of seropositivity in the multivariate model. Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-Mypn antibodies in children was 14.6% and age was not a predictor of seropositivity.

Neumonía y miositis aguda benigna de la infancia por Mycoplasma pneumoniae asociado a encefalitis: reporte de caso / Pneumonia and benign acute myositis of childhood due to Mycoplasma pneu-moniae associated with encephalitis: a case report

Una de las principales causas de neumonía en niños entre 5 y 15 años es el Mycoplasma pneumoniae, una bacteria que causa manifestaciones clínicas atípicas como la miositis y encefalitis. Reportamos un caso de una niña de cinco años que presentó limitación funcional en extremidades inferiores precedida por una infección respiratoria superior. Posteriormente, se complicó con neumonía y encefalitis. Se administraron antibióticos y antivirales debido al deterioro clínico del paciente. La serología de inmunoglobulinas para Mycoplasma pneumoniae fue positiva; mientras que los demás estudios virales fueron negativos. El curso clínico fue favorable con disminución progresiva de la dificultad respiratoria, trastorno del sensorio y mejoría en la limitación funcional en las extremidades inferiores a los 15 días de tratamiento.

One of the leading causes of pneumonia in children between 5 to 15 years is Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes atypical clinical manifestations such as myositis and encephalitis. We report a 5-year-old girl who presented functional limitations of the lower extremities preceded by an upper respiratory infection. Later on, she developed pneumonia and encephalitis. Antibiotics and antivirals were administered due to the clinical deterioration of the patient. IgM serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive, while the other viral studies were negative. The clinical course was favorable with a progressive decrease in respiratory distress, sensorial disorder, and improvement in the functional limitations of the lower limbs after 15 days of treatment.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, asociado a polineuropatía axonal autoinmune, ¿variante clínica del síndrome Guillain-Barré en niños? / Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, associated to autoimmune axonal polyneuropathy, clinical variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in children?

Introducción: Mycoplasma penumoniae es un patógeno reconocido como principal agente causal de neumonía atípica, así como también por generar diferentes tipos de complicaciones extrapulmonares, especialmente de carácter neurológico y afectar directamente el sistema nervioso, gracias a sus mecanismos de virulencia, mimetismo y de inmunomodulación en el huésped. Causa afecciones como neuropatías, polineuropatías, encefalopatías, síndrome de Guillain Barré y otros. Objetivo: Reforzar en el área pediátrica la necesidad de modificar criterios diagnósticos e incorporar variantes clínicas del síndrome de Guillain Barre, además de instrumentos para diagnóstico de afecciones neuropáticas. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino, 9 años 8 meses de edad, quien consulta en repetidas ocasiones por: dispepsias, episodios de diarrea, constipación y fiebre. Se constató según consulta: disbiosis, resfriado común, y finalmente, neumonía atípica por Mycoplasma Pneumoniae. Paciente evoluciona, con debilidad muscular, paresia, hiperalgesia y alodinia de extremidades superiores e inferiores. Acude a neurólogo, quien indica exámenes neurofisiológicos (velocidad de conducción nerviosa, potenciales evocados y se descartó una electromiografía, debido a la hiperalgesia). Se diagnosticó una polineuropatía axonal, la que se caracterizó por presentar ciertos aspectos del síndrome de Guillain-Barré. Tanto la evolución clínica de este síndrome, así como sus variantes clínicas, tienen un curso en adultos, caracterizado por un comienzo y signos distintos, lo que puede retrasar y errar el diagnóstico en pacientes pediátricos. Conclusiones: Hace falta nuevos criterios diagnósticos y su amplitud y herramientas de abordaje, para hacer un diagnóstico rápido y eficaz, y contribuir a la recuperación optima del paciente(AU)

Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogen know as to the main causal agent of atypical pneumonia, as well as to generate different extrapulmonary sickness, especially in neurological ways, directing to the nervous system, thanks to all its different mechanisms, like: virulence, mimetysm and immunomodulation in to the host. Producing, pathologies like neuropathies, polyneuropathies, encephalopathies, Guillain Barré Syndrome. Objetives: To highlight in the pediatric area, the need to modificate diagnosis criteria and incorporate Guillain-Barre Syndrome clinicals variants, also instruments to diagnosis of neuropathic pathologies. Case presentation: Male patient, 9 years, 8 months old, who consulted in repeated occasions for: dyspepsia, diarrhea and constipation episodes and fiber. Confirmed according to consultation: dysbiosis, common cold, and finally, atypical pneumonia by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae. The patient evolves with: muscular weakness, hyperalgesia and allodynia of upper and inferior extremities. Then, the Neurologist, indicates neurophysiological exams (nerve conduction velocity, evoked potentials, discarding an electromyography, due to hyperalgesia). Diagnosing an axonal polyneuropathy. Which was characterized to present some same aspects, from clinical course of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Highlighting that the clinical evolution, as also, the syndrome clinical variants, has it a course in adults, characterized by a different beginning and signs, than in children. Retarding and do a wrong diagnosis in pediatric patients. Conclusion: Lack of new diagnosis criteria, the amplitude of these and tools of approach to give a fast and effective diagnosis, and contribute to the optimal recovery of the patient(AU)

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: manifestaciones neurológicas y controversias diagnósticas. A propósito de un caso / Mycoplasma pneumoniae: neurologic manifestations and diagnostic controversies. A case report

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) es el agente causal de un 30% de las manifestaciones respiratorias de la población general. La neumonía ocupa el primer lugar dentro de este grupo. Las manifestaciones neurológicas representan las formas más frecuentes de presentación clínica extrapulmonar (40%). Las encefalitis y meningoencefalitis son las formas más habituales de sintomatología neurológica asociada a infección por Mp. La presentación de más de una variante clínica en un mismo paciente asociada a primoinfección por Mp es posible. El diagnóstico serológico plantea, habitualmente, controversias en su interpretación. A partir del caso de una niña de 7 años con inyección conjuntival, adenopatía cervical, rash descamativo y fotofobia con "pseudoedema de papila bilateral", que desarrolla durante su evolución parálisis facial periférica y meningitis aséptica, se analizarán las controversias que se plantean en relación con la interpretación diagnóstica asociada al compromiso neurológico por Mp.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is responsible for 30% of the respiratory manifestations of the general population. Pneumonia occupies the first place within this group. Among the extra-respiratory forms (40%), the neurological ones are the most frequent. Meningoencephalitis and aseptic meningitis are the most common. The presentation of more than one clinical variant in the same patient associated with primoinfection by Mp is possible. In relation to the serological diagnosis, controversies in interpretation sometimes occur. This is a 7-year-old girl with conjunctival injection, cervical adenopathy, photophobia with bilateral papilla pseudoedema, and scaly rash that develops peripheral facial paralysis and aseptic meningitis. We will discuss diagnostic controversies.

Optimización de un método de PCR en tiempo real para el diagnóstico de infecciones por Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Optimization of a real-time PCR method for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

A Mycoplasma pneumoniae se lo ha descrito como causante de diversas patologías, pero la más frecuente es la neumonía de la comunidad, en la que puede asociarse a otros patógenos. Afecta pincipalmente a niños de edad escolar y adultos jóvenes, aunque en las últimas décadas es frecuente hallarlo también en niños menores de 5 años. El daño celular ocurre sobre el epitelio de bronquios y bronquiolos por acumulación de peróxido de hidrógeno y radicales superóxido producidos durante su metabolismo celular. Recientemente se ha reportado que en estos eventos patogénicos también participa una citotoxina conocida como CARDS toxin (community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome) que la bacteria expresa como factor de virulencia, ya que induce una importante respuesta inflamatoria celular. Los métodos moleculares son más sensibles y rápidos que los métodos de diagnóstico tradicionales y se consideran de elección. No obstante, para lograr un diagnóstico óptimo, se aconseja la combinación de estos métodos junto con los serológicos. En el presente estudio se optimiza un método de PCR en tiempo real con iniciadores dirigidos a la región del gen que codifica la CARDS toxin. El método demostró ser muy sensible y rápido para el diagnóstico clínico de M. pneumoniae, con una concordancia қ: 0,95 con el método convencional de PCR anidada que emplea como target al gen que codifica para la citoadhesina P1. A su vez es mucho menos laborioso e implica un menor riesgo de contaminación, lo que permite el manejo de un alto número de muestras clínicas (AU)

Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been described as the cause of different infections, the most common of which is communityacquired pneumonia, possibly associated with other pathogens. Community-acquired pneumonia mainly affects school-age children and young adults, although over the past decades the disease has also been found in children under 5 years of age. Cell damage occurs on the epithelium of the bronchi and bronchioles due to accumulation of hydrogenous peroxide and superoxide radicals produced during cell metabolism. Recently, it has been reported that in these pathogenic events a cytotoxin known as CARDS toxin (community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome) participates, expressed by the bacteria as a factor of virulence, as it induces an important inflammatory cell response. The molecular methods are more sensitive and faster than the traditional diagnostic methods, and are considered the methods of choice; however, for an optimal diagnosis, a combination of these methods together with serological studies is recommended. In the current study, a real-time PCR method with markers targeted to the region of the gene encoding the CARDS toxin was optimized. The method showed to be very sensitive and fast for the clinical diagnosis of M. pneumoniae, with a қ agreement of 0.95 with the conventional nested PCR method that uses the gene encoding cytoadhesin P1 as a target. Additionally, the new method is much easier with a lower risk of contamination, which allows management of a large number of clinical samples (AU)

Neumonía por bacterias atípicas: mycoplasma y Chlamydia pneumoniae ¿qué elementos tenemos para hacer un diagnóstico adecuado y decidir cuándo tratar? / Atypical pneumonia: mycoplasma and chlamydia pneumoniae: making an accurate diagnosis and deciding when to treat

Atypical Pneumonia has been studied for many years. Most clinically relevant atypical organisms involved in pneumonia in children are Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Although great progress has been reached in new techniques, still there is no good tool, neither standardized nor accurate for a definitive diagnosis. In other hand, antibiotic therapy is under review due to contradictory evidence to support their use. We present a critical view of actual knowledge and propose an algorithm to proceed in clinical ground.

La neumonía por bacterias atípicas es sujeto de estudio desde hace años. Dentro de las bacterias atípicas más frecuentes y clínicamente relevantes en niños se reconocen Mycoplasma pneumoniae y Chlamydia pneumoniae. A pesar del aumento en el conocimiento de estas infecciones y avance en las técnicas diagnósticas, aun no contamos con una herramienta estandarizada y confiable que permita realizar un adecuado diagnóstico. Por otra parte, la necesidad real de efectuar un tratamiento antibiótico sigue siendo tema de discusión. Se presenta a continuación una revisión crítica del conocimiento actual y una propuesta de su enfrentamiento clínico.

Cutaneous vasculitis and renal involvement in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

No abstract available.

Hemólisis, exantema, serositis. Manifestaciones extrapulmonares del Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Reporte de un caso / Hemolysis, serositis and exanthema induced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: Report of one case

Mycoplasma infections have extrapulmonary manifestations that may be associated with respiratory symptoms and may have skin, heart, gastrointestinal, rheumatologic, neurologic, hematologic involvement. Cold agglutinin mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia is the most common hematological manifestation. We report a 27-year-old woman infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, who presented respiratory involvement with pneumonia, exanthema, serositis and acute hemolytic anemia that required transfusion. The key for the diagnosis were the extrapulmonary manifestations associated with respiratory involvement after five days of hospitalization.

Characteristics of hospitalized children infected with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify retrospectively the characteristics of children hospitalized for respiratory tract infection caused by macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae). METHODS: Children who were hospitalized for respiratory tract infection due to M. pneumoniae were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection was made on the grounds of polymerase chain reaction results. RESULTS: Thirty-three children were hospitalized due to lower respiratory tract infection with M. pneumoniae. Of the 33 children, 31 (median age five years) were identified as being infected with macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (A2063G:30, A2064G:1) by sequence analysis. Of the 31 children infected with macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae, 21 (68%) had received 14- or 15-membered macrolide antibiotics and four (13%) had received minocycline before hospitalization. During hospitalization, minocycline was administered to 16 (52%) of the 31 children infected with macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae. Of the 20 children infected with macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae under eight years of age, six (30%) were treated with minocycline during hospitalization. The difference in total febrile days between children receiving minocycline treatment before hospitalization and children not receiving minocycline treatment was three days. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection due to macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae infection was of preschool age and had received 14- or 15-membered macrolide antibiotics before hospitalization. Because macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae is widespread in Japan, the administration of minocycline as a second-line antibiotic in children under eight years of age cannot be withheld when clinical symptoms do not improve with macrolide antibiotics. .

Clinical significance of different bacterial load of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance of differentMycoplasma pneumoniae bacterial load in patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) in children. METHODS: Patients with MP (n=511) were identified at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University database during an outbreak of MP between January 2012 and February 2013. RESULTS: Comparing patients with high and low bacterial load those with higher loads were significantly older (p<0.01) and had fever significantly more frequently (p=0.01). Presence of wheezing at presentation was associated with low bacterial load (p=0.03). Baseline positive IgM was present in 93 (56.4%) patients with high bacterial load compared to 46 (27.8%) patients with low bacterial load (p<0.001). Co-infection with viruses was found significantly more frequent among patients with low bacterial load (24.2%) than those with high bacterial load (8.5%) [p<0.001]. Bacterial co-infection was also more frequently detected among patients with low bacterial load (22.4%) than in those with high bacterial load (12.1%) [p=0.01]. CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae at a high bacterial load could be an etiologic agent of respiratory tract disease, whereas the etiologic role of MP at a low bacterial load remains to be determined. .

Necrólisis epidérmica tóxica asociada a infección aguda por Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with acute infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae

El eritema multiforme, el síndrome de Stevens-Johnson y la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica representan diferentes manifestaciones de un mismo espectro de graves reacciones cutáneas idiosincrásicas a fármacos y, en menor medida, están asociados a agentes infecciosos. De estos últimos, Mycoplasma pneumoniae es uno de los más frecuentes. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 5 años, con una necrólisis epidérmica tóxica asociada a infección aguda por Mycoplasma pneumoniae, que comenzó con un cuadro febril acompañado de un exantema generalizado y compromiso de todas las mucosas. Se obtuvo serología IgM positiva para Mycoplasma pneumoniae y una biopsia inicial compatible con eritema multiforme mayor. La paciente fue tratada con corticosteroides, gammaglobulina intravenosa, plasmaféresis y estrictos cuidados para la prevención de sobreinfección y posibles secuelas. Después de 31 días de internación fue dada de alta hospitalaria.

Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis represent different manifestations of the same spectrum of severe idiosyncratic cutaneous reactions to drugs and to a lesser extent are associated with infectous agents. Among these, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most frequent. We report the case of a female patient aged 5 years, with a toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, which begins with a fever accompanied by a generalized rash with involvement of the mucous membranes. IgM serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive and initial biopsy was compatible with erythema multiforme major. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis and strict care to prevent superinfection and sequels. After 31 days of hospitalization the patient was discharged from hospital.

Neumonías atípicas / Atypical pneumoniae

Atypical pneumonias are a significant percentage of causal agents of pneumonia in children. Dominate over 5years of age, although in the last three years there is an increase in cases in children three years of age, especially secondary to Mycoplasma. In this review, we will refer to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as the atypical germ most common and important in the epidemiology of children with pulmonary involvement. Mycoplasma pneumonia, can explain 20-25 percent of pneumonia in children, especially in preschool and school age.

Las neumonías atípicas constituyen un porcentaje importante de agentes causales de neumonía en niños. Predominan en mayores de 5 años de edad, aunque en los últimos años, existe un incremento de casos en niños de 3años de edad, sobre todo secundario al Mycoplasma. En esta revisión, nos referiremos al Mycoplasma pneumoniae, como el germen de los atípicos más frecuente e importante en la epidemiología del niño con afectación pulmonar. Las neumonías por mycoplasma, pueden explicar del 20 al 25 por ciento de las neumonías en niños, sobre todo en edades preescolares y escolares.

Two Cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia with A2063G Mutation in the 23S rRNA Gene in Siblings

We describe 2 cases of pneumonia caused by the same macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in siblings. M. pneumoniae was identified using real-time PCR. Direct sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA gene revealed a point mutation in V domain (A2063G) of the 23S rRNA gene.

Comparison of Sputum and Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens for Molecular Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of atypical pathogens is important for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this study, we compared sputum and nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) for use in detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydophila pneumoniae (CP), and Legionella pneumophila (LP), using Seeplex PneumoBacter ACE Detection Assay (PneumoBacter; Seegene). METHODS: Sputum and NPS specimens were collected from patients in 15 hospitals. DNA was extracted from sputum using QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen) and from NPS using easyMAG (bioMerieux). Both types of specimens were evaluated by multiplex PCR using PneumoBacter. To determine the diagnostic performance of this assay, sputum samples were also tested using BD ProbeTec ET Atypical Pneumonia Assay (APA; Becton Dickinson). RESULTS: Among 217 sputum and NPS, 20 (9.2%), 2 (0.9%), and 0 sputum were positive for MP, LP, and CP, respectively, whereas 8 (3.7%) NPS were positive for MP. The sputum APA test yielded 186, 206, and 204 interpretable results for MP, LP, and CP, respectively. Of these, 21 (11.3%) were positive for MP, 2 (1.0%) were positive for LP, and 0 samples were positive for CP. Compared to APA, the sensitivity and specificity of the sputum assay for MP were 95.2% and 100.0%, respectively, whereas for the NPS assay, these were 38.1% and 93.9%. Sputum testing was more sensitive than NPS testing (P=0.002). For LP and CP diagnosis, PneumoBacter and APA tests agreed 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Specimen type is crucial and sputum is preferred over NPS for simultaneous detection of MP, LP, and CP using multiplex PCR in CAP.

PCR versus serology for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background & objectives Diagnosis for Mycoplasma pneumoniae usually relies on serological tests. PCR technology has some advantages but also limitations. The optimal selection for these tests still needs discussion. This paper reviews the overall diagnostic accuracy of PCR versus serological assays for diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections and to identify factors associated with heterogeneity of results. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched. Articles meeting the selection criteria were retrieved for data collection and analysis. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using QUADAS. Hierarchial summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was used to estimate summary ROC curve. Results: Initial meta-analysis showed a summary estimate of sensitivity (SEN) 0.62 (95% CI, 0.45-0.76), and specificity (SPE) 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98). Subgroup analyses were performed to identify factors associated with heterogeneity. For different gene targets, reference standards, subjects (children or adults) and different PCR types, these aspects can generate results of heterogeneity. The 16s rDNA target and adult subjects and real-time PCR may have better test results for PCR. Interpretation & conclusions Commercial PCR tests generated consistent results with high specificity but a lower and more variable sensitivity. The findings suggest commercial PCR tests having superiorities in diagnosing M. pneumoniae infections but still cannot replace serology. PCR plus serology could be good screening tests for reliable and accurate diagnosis of M. pneumoniae.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: evaluación de la pobración hospitalaria / Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: evaluation in the hospital population

Mycoplasma pneumoniae es un patógeno común del tracto respiratorio, en niños y adultos. Causa entre un 10 y un 30% de las neumonías atípicas de la comunidad. La edad clásicamente descripta de primoinfección es entre 5 y 9 años. Las manifestaciones extrapulmonares son menos frecuentes. Las técnicas de laboratorio apropiadas para el diagnóstico son los ensayos serológicos, que detectan anticuerpos específicos y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) que detecta directamente el material genético de la bacteria. Objetivo: Determinar la edad promedio de la primoinfección, la entidad clínica más frecuente que motiva el análisis y el porcentaje de pacientes con manifestaciones pulmonares y extrapulmonares. Materiales y métodos: Se efectuó el análisis de 180 pacientes, de 7 meses a 15 años, que consultaron en este hospital, y que tuvieron un resultado positivo para anticuerpos IgM anti M. pneumoniae. Se clasificaron en 4 grupos: de 7 meses a 2 años (A), >2 a 5 años (B), >5 a 10 años (C), >10 a 15 años (D). Las IgM se detectaron en suero por inmunofluorescencia indirecta, luego de un pre-tratamiento con absorbente para eliminar IgG y factor reumatoideo. Resultados: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 8,7 años. Un 9% correspondió al al grupo A, 23% al grupo B, 31% al grupo C y 37% al grupo D. Las manifestaciones respiratorias representaron el 39,4% de todos los casos, 40% correspondieron a manifestaciones extrapulmonares, y 20,6% a pacientes con síndrome febril prolongado. Conclusiones: M. pneumoniae es considerado un patógeno de niños en edad escolar, pero en nuestro estudio un 32% correspondió a niños menores a 5 años. A pesar de ser un patógeno típicamente respiratorio, observamos un alto porcentaje de manifestaciones extrapulmonares que motivaron la consulta (40%) y de pacientes con síndrome febril prolongado (20,6%) como único síntoma asociado a la primoinfección por M. pneumoniae (AU)

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of the human respiratory tract of in children and young adults. It causes 10 to 30% of community-acquired atypical pneumonia. Primary infection classically is considered to occur during the first 5 or 9 years of life. Extrapulmonary symptoms are less frequent. Appropriate diagnostic techniques are serological assays for the detection of specific antibodies, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the direct detection of DNA. Aims: To determine: the median age of primary infection, the most frequent clinical entity that motivated the analysis, and the percentage of patients with respiratory or extrapulmonary manifestations. Materials y Methods: Analysis of 180 patients of the hospital, from 7 months to 15 years with positive result for IgM anti M. pneumoniae was performed. They were classified in 4 groups: 7 months to 2 years (A),> 2 to 5 years (B),> 5 to 10 years (C),> 10 to 15 years (D). IgM were detected by indirect inmunofluorescent assay in serum specimens, pre-treated with absorbent to eliminate IgG and rheumatoid factor. Results: Patients median age was 8,7 years; 9% corresponding to group A, 23% to group B, 31% to group C and 37% to group D. Respiratory manifestations represented 39,4 % of all cases, 40% with extrapulmonary symptoms and prolonged febrile syndrome accounted for 20,6 % as the only symptom associated with primary infection by M. pneumoniae. Conclusions: M. pneumoniae is generally considered to be a pathogen of school-aged children, but in our study 32% of cases corresponded to less than 5 year-old children. Although this agent is typically described as a respiratory pathogen, we observed a high percentage of extrapulmonary manifestations that motivated the analysis (40 %) and prolonged febrile syndrome (20,6 %) as the only symptom associated with primary infection by M. pneumoniae (AU)