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Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in adolescents with community-acquired pneumonia

Naoyuki Miyashita1, Yasuhiro Kawai, Hiroto Akaike

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine , Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan. nao@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp

BMC Infectious Diseases
|June 2, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae is prevalent in adolescents with pneumonia, similar to younger children. Increased resistance in this age group necessitates clinical attention to prevent outbreaks in closed populations.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Rising macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MR M. pneumoniae) in Japanese pediatric patients.
  • Limited data on MR M. pneumoniae in adolescents (16-19 years old).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of MR M. pneumoniae in adolescent community-acquired pneumonia patients.
  • To compare resistance patterns across pediatric, adolescent, and adult age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 99 M. pneumoniae pneumonia cases confirmed by PCR and culture.
  • Categorization into pediatric (<16 years), adolescent (16-19 years), and adult groups.
  • Sequencing of 23S rRNA gene domain V to identify macrolide resistance-associated mutations.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of MR M. pneumoniae: 66% in pediatric, 46% in adolescent, and 25% in adult patients.
  • Observed increase in resistant strains among adolescent patients.
  • Common mutations identified: A2063G and A2064G in the 23S rRNA gene.

Conclusions:

  • MR M. pneumoniae poses a significant threat to adolescents, mirroring prevalence in younger children.
  • Physicians must monitor for MR M. pneumoniae in adolescents to prevent outbreaks in schools and universities.
  • Urgent attention is needed to control MR M. pneumoniae transmission in closed communities.

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