RESUMO
Objective To understand the mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) infection degree in community children by testing specific IgM antibodies against MP in different age bracket group in Shanghai Meilong area. Methods Using random sampling method, blood specimens of 1 817 children from kindergartens and primary or junior high schools in Meilong area were obtained. Children were from 2 to 15 years old, 969 males, 848 females. The specimens were tested for IgM antibodies against MP using with gelatin particle agglutination test. The data were statistically analyzed using with ?2 test. Results Five hundred and fifty-nine (30.7%) IgM antibodies against MP were positive from 1 817 blood specimens. The positive percentages were 27.34% and 34.66% for males and females, which had significant difference(?2=11.383 P=0.001). The higher percentage was detected from kindergarten children than primary and junior high school children(P=0). The positive percentages of anti-mycoplasma IgM had no significant differences between different kindergartens and primary schools(P=0.526,0.232). On the contrary, between different junior high schools, there were siginificant differences (?2=9.825 P=0.002). Conclusions MP is an important pathogenic mycoplasma cause for respiratory tract infections in Meilong area. It is relative to childhood asthma. The prevention and cure of MP infection for children shall be paid more attention.