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8326 Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases over a winter epidemic in a tertiary paediatric centre
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8326 Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases over a winter epidemic in a tertiary paediatric centre
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8326 Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases over a winter epidemic in a tertiary paediatric centre
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Journal Article
8326 Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases over a winter epidemic in a tertiary paediatric centre
2025
Overview
ObjectivesThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlighted an epidemic of cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children during the winter season of 2023 to 2024. Mycoplasma epidemics have been described to occur every 4 to 7 years, however this epidemic was felt to have shown a three-fold increase in case numbers in comparison to the previous epidemic in 2019–2020 (Todkill et. Al, 2024). The aim of this review was to describe the number of cases and clinical course in children with M. pneumoniae isolated in our tertiary centre over the winter of 2023/2024.MethodsAll paediatric cases with a positive isolation of M. Pneumoniae either in serology (IgM positive) or pcr testing between October 2023 and March 2024 were identified by microbiology and virology laboratory records across Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (Great North Children’s Hospital and Freeman Hospital). Retrospective data was collected from patient electronic records.Results25 patients were included. 64% male, 36% female with mean age 8.9 years. Positive isolates were obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (40%), endo-tracheal secretions (20%) and blood IgM serology (20%). Co-infection was seen in 48% with Rhinovirus being the most common secondary pathogen (58%).The mean length of hospital stay was 8.8 days. 64% of patients received intravenous antibiotics (average duration 5.3 days). 72% received oral antibiotics either as their primary treatment or as step-down from intravenous (average duration was 6.1 days). 2 patients did not receive antibiotics.48% of patients (n=12) did not require respiratory support. 16% (n=4) required low flow oxygen. 36% (n=9) were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU); average length of stay on PICU was 10.2 days. Of those, 7 patients required intubation and ventilation (28% of whole cohort); mean time of intubation 7.7 days. 1 patient required non-invasive ventilation and 1 high flow nasal cannula oxygen. 1 patient required chest drain insertion for empyema.ConclusionsWe describe a variation in severity of M. Pneumoniae associated illness. Our cohort is limited by only capturing children who had microbiology samples processed however it is evident M. pneumoniae can be a pathogen leading to serious illness in children. It is important that seasonal epidemics are communicated promptly to frontline healthcare professionals so appropriate antibiotic treatment can be initiated early.ReferenceTodkill D, Lamagni T, Pebody R, Ramsay M, Woolham D, Demirijan A, Salzmann A, Chand M, Hughes H, Bennett C, Hope R, Watson C, Brown C, Elliot A. Persistent elevation in incidence of pneumonia in children in England, 2023/24. Euro Surveill. 2024;29(32). doi.10.2807/1560-7917
