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Characteristics of M ycoplasma pneumoniae infection identified on culture in a pediatric clinic
Author(s) -
Katsushima Yuriko,
Katsushima Fumio,
Suzuki Yu,
Seto Junji,
Mizuta Katsumi,
Nishimura Hidekazu,
Matsuzaki Yoko
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12513
Subject(s) - mycoplasma pneumoniae , medicine , streptococcus pneumoniae , pneumonia , outpatient clinic , microbiology and biotechnology , minocycline , titer , antibiotics , virology , immunology , antibody , biology
Abstract Background The appropriate choice of antibiotics against M ycoplasma pneumoniae infection has become difficult, as the prevalence of macrolide‐resistant M . pneumoniae has increased. Methods Throat swab specimens were collected from children with clinically suspected M . pneumoniae infection while visiting an outpatient clinic. Cultures for M . pneumoniae were done, and all isolates were sequenced for the presence of a mutation in 23S rRNA . Results Of the 80 specimens collected between F ebruary 2012 and M arch 2013, 27 (34%) were positive for M . pneumoniae on culture. Macrolide‐resistant mutation was detected in 24 isolates (89%): 23 isolates had an A 2063 G transition, and one had a C 2617 G mutation. Both the median age and the prevalence of pneumonia were significantly higher in M . pneumoniae ‐positive than in M . pneumoniae ‐negative children (median, 7 years vs 4 years; 88.9% vs 60.4%, respectively). The percentage of serum samples with particle agglutination titer ≥1:160 was 69.6% in M . pneumoniae ‐positive cases and 17.6% in M . pneumoniae ‐negative cases when the serum was collected ≥4 days after the onset of fever. Defervescence within 72 h after the initiation of macrolides never occurred in M . pneumoniae ‐positive children and also did not occur in 54% of M . pneumoniae ‐negative children. Switching to either minocycline or tosufloxacin resulted in fever resolution within 48 h in M . pneumoniae ‐positive children. Conclusions The described clinical and laboratory characteristics of M . pneumoniae infection may be useful in guiding appropriate treatment in an outpatient clinic.